Florida 2026 Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 1356 — Handling of Animals

Last action — Died in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 1004 (Ch. 2026-76)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · high confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Handling of Animals; Requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop and adopt rules, best management practices, and other measures for dog breeding in this state; deleting a limit on veterinary costs under certain provisions; specifying requirements for retail stores that offer animals for sale; requiring dog breeders to apply to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for a certificate of registration and to renew the certificate at specified intervals, etc.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

369 added · 402 removed

369 line(s) added, 402 removed.

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Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 By Senator Garcia 36-01238A-26 20261356__ A bill to be entitled An act relating to the handling of animals;
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 By the Committee on Commerce and Tourism;
and Senator Garcia 577-02493-26 20261356c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to the handling of animals;
creating s.
828.265, F.S.;
providing legislative findings;
defining terms;
preempting the regulatory and operational oversight of local animal shelters to the department;
requiring the department to adopt certain rules;
encouraging the department to collaborate with certain entities;
requiring that all financial terms be disclosed to the consumer before the sale of an animal;
requiring that all financing terms be disclosed to the consumer before the sale of an animal;
requiring a specified mandatory waiting period between the purchase and receipt of an animal if the transaction is financed by the consumer and prohibiting the signing of such agreement before the conclusion of such waiting period;
requiring a specified mandatory waiting period between the purchase and receipt of an animal if the transaction is financed by the consumer;
prohibiting the signing of a financing agreement before the conclusion of such waiting period;
requiring a pet dealer to provide Page 1 of 13 CODING:
requiring a pet dealer to provide copies of specified medical records to a consumer;
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ copies of specified medical records to a consumer;
requiring a pet dealer to retain certain records for a specified timeframe;
Page 1 of 12 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 requiring a pet dealer to retain certain records for a specified timeframe;
requiring the department to provide certain information to law Page 2 of 13 CODING:
requiring the department to provide certain information to law enforcement for the purpose of pursuing criminal charges;
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ enforcement for the purpose of pursuing criminal charges;
Section 1.
Page 2 of 12 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 Section 1.
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(f) “Litter” means the collection of dogs birthed, whether naturally or from cesarean section, from a breeding female dog from the same pregnancy.
(3) The department shall:
(a) Develop and adopt rules, best management practices, and Page 3 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ (f) “Litter” means the collection of dogs birthed, whether naturally or from cesarean section, from a breeding female dog from the same pregnancy.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 other measures necessary to improve the practices of dog breeders and dog breeding facilities in a way that protects this state’s domestic animal resources and preserves a viable and ethical dog breeding industry.
(3) The department shall:
(a) Develop and adopt rules, best management practices, and other measures necessary to improve the practices of dog breeders and dog breeding facilities in a way that protects this state’s domestic animal resources and preserves a viable and ethical dog breeding industry.
Section 828.265, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
Subsections (5) through (8), (10), (12), (13), and (17) of section 828.29, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (18) through (21) are added to that section, to read:
828.265 Regulation of animal shelters.— (1) The Legislature finds that a lack of resources, Page 4 of 13 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ training, and consistent enforcement of rules at the local level has resulted in an undermining of the public trust of, and a failure to protect vulnerable animals housed in, local animal shelters.
Therefore, the Legislature intends to provide statewide oversight of local animal shelters to ensure consistent implementation and enforcement of rules governing local animal shelters.
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(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(b) “Local animal shelter” includes city and county animal rescues and animal shelters.
(3) The regulatory and operational oversight of local animal shelters is preempted to the department.
(4) The department shall adopt rules governing all of the following:
(a) Basic standards for the care of animals housed in local animal shelters, including providing adequate food, water, shelter, and medical treatment.
(b) Mandatory reporting requirements for local animal shelters to report intake, adoption, and euthanasia statistics in a standardized format.
(c) Guidelines for the safe and humane euthanasia of animals.
(d) Periodic inspections of local animal shelters.
(5) The department is encouraged to collaborate with reputable nonprofit and private organizations to manage animal shelters.
Section 3.
Subsections (5) through (8), (10), (12), and Page 5 of 13 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ (17) of section 828.29, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (18) through (21) are added to that section, to read:
disclosures.— (5) If, within 14 days after following the sale by a pet dealer of an animal subject to this section, a licensed veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing certifies that, at the time of the sale, the animal was unfit for purchase due to illness or disease, the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease, or the presence of internal or external parasites, excluding fleas and ticks;
disclosures.— (5) If, within 14 days after following the sale by a pet dealer of an animal subject to this section, a licensed veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing certifies that, at the Page 4 of 12 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 time of the sale, the animal was unfit for purchase due to illness or disease, the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease, or the presence of internal or external parasites, excluding fleas and ticks;
If the consumer financed the animal, the pet dealer must ensure that the financing arrangement is Page 6 of 13 CODING:
If the consumer financed the animal, the pet dealer must ensure that the financing arrangement is terminated without penalty to the consumer;
(b) The right to return the animal and receive an exchange dog or cat of the consumer’s choice of equivalent value, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs directly related to the veterinarian’s examination and certification that the dog or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section and directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to relieve suffering;
or Page 5 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ terminated without penalty to the consumer;
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 (c) The right to retain the animal and receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs for necessary services and treatment related to the attempt to cure or curing of the dog or cat.
(b) The right to return the animal and receive an exchange dog or cat of the consumer’s choice of equivalent value, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs directly related to the veterinarian’s examination and certification that the dog or cat is unfit for purchase pursuant to this section and directly related to necessary emergency services and treatment undertaken to relieve suffering;
or (c) The right to retain the animal and receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinary costs for necessary services and treatment related to the attempt to cure or curing of the dog or cat.
In the case of such waiver, the consumer has 48 normal business Page 7 of 13 CODING:
In the case of such waiver, the consumer has 48 normal business hours, excluding weekends and holidays, in which to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing.
If the veterinarian certifies that, at the time of sale, the dog or cat was unfit for purchase due to a congenital or hereditary disorder, the pet dealer must afford the consumer the right to choose one of the following options:
(a) The right to return the animal and receive a refund of the purchase price, including sales tax, but excluding the Page 6 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ hours, excluding weekends and holidays, in which to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian of the consumer’s choosing.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 veterinary costs related to the certification that the dog or cat is unfit;
If the veterinarian certifies that, at the time of sale, the dog or cat was unfit for purchase due to a congenital or hereditary disorder, the pet dealer must afford the consumer the right to choose one of the following options:
(a) The right to return the animal and receive a refund of the purchase price, including sales tax, but excluding the veterinary costs related to the certification that the dog or cat is unfit;
The written certification of unfitness must be presented to the Page 8 of 13 CODING:
The written certification of unfitness must be presented to the pet dealer not later than 3 business days after following receipt thereof by the consumer.
(10) If a pet dealer wishes to contest a demand for veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange made by a consumer under this section, the dealer may require the consumer to produce the animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian designated by the dealer.
Upon such examination, if the consumer and the dealer are unable to reach an agreement that constitutes Page 7 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ pet dealer not later than 3 business days after following receipt thereof by the consumer.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 one of the options set forth in subsection (5) or subsection (6) within 10 business days after following receipt of the animal for such examination, the consumer may initiate an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover or obtain reimbursement of veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange.
(10) If a pet dealer wishes to contest a demand for veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange made by a consumer under this section, the dealer may require the consumer to produce the animal for examination by a licensed veterinarian designated by the dealer.
Upon such examination, if the consumer and the dealer are unable to reach an agreement that constitutes one of the options set forth in subsection (5) or subsection (6) within 10 business days after following receipt of the animal for such examination, the consumer may initiate an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover or obtain reimbursement of veterinary expenses, refund, or exchange.
...(Signature of Owner, or Owner’s or Authorized Agent)...
...(Signature of Owner, or Owner’s Authorized Agent)...
Page 9 of 13 CODING:
Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this ....
day of ...., ...., by ...(name of person making statement)....
It is the consumer’s right, pursuant to section 828.29, Florida Statutes, to receive a certificate of veterinary inspection with each dog or cat purchased Page 8 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this ....
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 from a pet dealer.
day of ...., ...., by ...(name of person making statement)....
It is the consumer’s right, pursuant to section 828.29, Florida Statutes, to receive a certificate of veterinary inspection with each dog or cat purchased from a pet dealer.
(13) For the purposes of subsections (5)-(12), and (16), (18), and (20), the term “pet dealer” means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association which, in the ordinary course of business, engages in the sale of more than two litters, or 20 dogs or cats, per year, whichever is greater, to the public.
This definition includes breeders of animals who sell such animals directly to a consumer.
Page 10 of 13 CODING:
775.083.
Page 9 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ 775.083.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 (18) A pet dealer shall retain any record provided to a consumer pursuant to the sale of an animal under this section for at least 7 years after the sale.
(18) A pet dealer shall retain any record provided to a consumer pursuant to the sale of an animal under this section for at least 7 years after the sale.
Section 4.
Section 3.
(a) “Breeding female dog” means a dog that has not been Page 11 of 13 CODING:
(a) “Breeding female dog” means a dog that has not been spayed and is more than 6 months old and capable of Page 10 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ spayed and is more than 6 months old and capable of reproduction.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 reproduction.
The department may contract with a private entity to administer the Page 12 of 13 CODING:
The department may contract with a private entity to administer the whistleblower program.
If a private entity is contracted to Page 11 of 12 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1356 36-01238A-26 20261356__ whistleblower program.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1356 577-02493-26 20261356c1 receive calls, the private entity must provide monthly reports to the department detailing the number of calls received, the number of calls referred to law enforcement, and the status of each case referred to law enforcement.
If a private entity is contracted to receive calls, the private entity must provide monthly reports to the department detailing the number of calls received, the number of calls referred to law enforcement, and the status of each case referred to law enforcement.
(e) Breeding a female dog more than 2 times per year.
(e) Breeding a female dog more than two times per year.
(f) Exposing breeding females and their litters to extreme temperatures without appropriate shelter.
(f) Exposing breeding female dogs and their litters to extreme temperatures without appropriate shelter.
Section 5.
Section 4.
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Action History

  1. Died in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/SB 1004 (Ch. 2026-76)

  2. CS by Commerce and Tourism read 1st time

  3. Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

  4. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  5. CS by Commerce and Tourism; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

  6. On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 02/04/26, 10:30 am, 110 Senate Building

  7. Introduced

  8. Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Rules

  9. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 162 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (162)

162 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 162 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

public-safety agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 1356 do?
Handling of Animals; Requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop and adopt rules, best management practices, and other measures for dog breeding in this state; deleting a limit on veterinary costs under certain provisions; specifying requirements for retail stores that offer animals for sale; requiring dog breeders to apply to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for a certificate of registration and to renew the certificate at specified intervals, etc.
Who sponsors SB 1356?
SB 1356 is sponsored by Garcia, Ileana (Republican) and Arrington, Kristen Aston (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 1356?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 07, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 1356?
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