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MaineLD 1771132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Strengthen Oversight of Kennels by Changing the Licensing Authority from Municipalities to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Sponsored By: Donna Bailey (Democratic)

Became Law

ANIMALSANIMALS - DOGS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Kennel background checks and penalties

Applicants must submit and pay for a background check with their license application. The department cannot license someone with certain serious or animal-cruelty convictions in the past 10 years. The department can deny, suspend, or revoke a license for false statements, rule or quarantine violations, poor records, and other listed reasons. Running without a required license is a civil violation with fines of $50 to $200 per day. Dogs covered by a kennel license must wear a year-marked license tag on their collars.

Funding for Animal Welfare administration

The law provides $21,577 for 2025–26 and $21,577 for 2026–27 to the Animal Welfare Fund. This money supports administration of the Animal Welfare Act.

State license fees for kennels and pet shops

Kennel license fees are $50 for 5–10 dogs, $100 for 11–20 dogs, and $150 for 21 or more dogs. Breeding kennels pay $125 (Category 1), $150 (Category 2), or $200 (Category 3). Boarding kennels and animal shelters each pay $125. Pet shops pay $200. The department sends 20% of each kennel fee to the town’s animal welfare account and deposits the rest into the State Animal Welfare Fund.

State now licenses kennels annually

Maine moves kennel licensing from towns to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. If you run a kennel, you must get a state kennel license. The license ends each year on December 31. If you already hold a facility license as a boarding kennel, breeding kennel, animal shelter, or pet shop, you do not need a separate kennel license.

Inspections and quarantine rules for kennels

Before a kennel license is issued or renewed, you need a signed inspection. The first inspection must be within 30 days before your first application, and renewals need a yearly inspection. If a humane agent inspects in a town without an animal control officer or in special cases, the town pays that cost. State vets and humane agents can enter at reasonable times to check for disease, and a state-directed vet can quarantine a facility as long as needed to stop spread.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Allison Hepler

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Roeder

    Democratic • House

  • Henry L. Ingwersen

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Dill

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Cooper

    Republican • House

  • Poppy Arford

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 71 • No: 69

House vote • 6/4/2025

ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP

Yes: 71 • No: 69

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 414

    6/22/2025

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  4. On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-488) and PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-488) in concurrence.

    6/5/2025Senate

  5. Speaker laid before the HouseSubsequently, on motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 332(Yeas 71 - Nays 69 - Absent 11 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) was READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, House Amendment "A" (H-488) to Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) was READ and ADOPTED.Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-488) thereto was ADOPTED. Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-488) thereto.In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  6. Unfinished Business

    6/3/2025House

  7. Reports READ.On motion of Representative PLUECKER of Warren, TABLED pending ACCEPTANCE of Either Report.Later today assigned.

    6/3/2025House

  8. Reports READ On motion by Senator TALBOT ROSS of Cumberland The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) READ and ADOPTED Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (S-220) Sent down for concurrence

    6/2/2025Senate

  9. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/24/2025House

  10. Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (S-220), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Amendment H-A to C-A (H-488), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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