Raised Bill No. 234 Summary

• Requires seed labelers to register annually with the Commissioner of Agriculture for a $100 fee, with registrations expiring March 31 each year.

• Transfers dog licensing authority from town clerks to the Department of Agriculture, with license fees increasing from $7 to $8 for neutered/spayed dogs and $12 for unneutered/unspayed dogs.

• Revises breeding kennel regulations to allow local animal control officers (instead of state officers) to conduct inspections and issue correction orders, with violation penalties reduced from Class B to Class D misdemeanor for non-compliance.

• Expands the definition of service animals beyond guide dogs and removes the requirement for special orange-colored leash identification in dog control statutes.

• Permits temporary importation of reindeer from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day (or up to seven days) if animals meet health testing and identification requirements.