ENR. H. B. NO. 1359 Summary

• Renames the "Commercial Pet Breeders Act of 2012" to the "Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act" and extends licensing requirements to animal shelters maintaining ten or more dogs and cats.

• Requires animal shelters and commercial pet breeders to obtain separate licenses for each facility, undergo initial prelicense inspections, and submit to annual inspections by the State Board of Agriculture.

• Establishes cage-size requirements based on when facilities apply for licenses; facilities applying before September 1, 2013 must meet USDA standards, while those replacing or adding cages after that date must meet new state requirements.

• Mandates that animal shelters and commercial pet breeders maintain health records for each animal, display licenses prominently, and include license numbers in advertisements and sales contracts.

• Creates the "Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Assistance Revolving Fund" to cover veterinary costs and care expenses for seized animals, and establishes administrative penalties up to $10,000 per facility per year for violations.