Florida Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
FLORIDA Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
(Adjourned on June 16, 2025)
38 pet related items were proposed during the 2025 legislative session, 25 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 205/SB 150 | Animal Abandonment – Natural Disasters: “Trooper’s Law” amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection), Section 828.13 (Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals) of Florida Statutes to prohibit abandoning a dog that is restrained during a natural disaster. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 10/1/25) |
| HB 255/HB 502/SB 494 | Aggravated Animal Cruelty Offense: “Dexter’s Law” amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection), Section 828.02 (Definitions) and Title XLVII (Criminal Procedure & Corrections), Chapter 921 (Sentence), Section 921.0024 (Criminal Punishment Code; worksheet computations; scoresheets) of Florida Statutes to enhance penalties for animal cruelty towards domestic animals by defining key terms and introducing a sentencing multiplier for such offenses. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 7/1/25) |
| HB 263/SB 534 | Animal Cruelty Offense – Unattended/Confined Animals: Amends Titles XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection), Section 828.12 (Animal Cruelty) of Florida Statutes to prohibit leaving animals in unattended vehicles under dangerous conditions. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 455 | Database of Animal Cruelty Violators: Amends Titles XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection), Section 828.12 (Cruelty to Animals) of Florida Statutes by adding a new subsection requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website the names of certain individuals who have violated specified animal cruelty provisions. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR) |
| HB 603/SB 688 | “Canine Heroes for First Responders Act”: Amends Title XLVII (Criminal Procedure & Corrections), Chapter 943 (Department of Law Enforcement) of Florida Statutes by creating a new Section 943.701 (Canine support grant program for first responders) to create a grant program to fund support dogs for first responders, detailing requirements for dogs, handlers, and agencies. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 627/SB 762 | Preventing the Spread of Avian Influenza: An Act to create a “Be Ready Task Force” within the Department of Health to develop strategies to prevent avian influenza spread in Florida and prepare for potential human-to-human transmission. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 767/SB 898 | Licensed Veterinary Technicians – Minimum Requirements: Amends Title XXXII (Regulation of Occupations & Professions), Chapter 474 (Veterinary Practice Act) of Florida Statutes to include “licensed veterinary technicians” in the regulatory framework, ensuring they meet minimum requirements for safe practice alongside veterinarians. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 769/SB 1336 | Licensed Veterinary Technician Records – Confidentiality: Amends Title XXXII (Regulation of Occupations & Professions), Chapter 474 (Veterinary Practice Act), Section 474.2185 (Veterinarians consent; handwriting samples; mental or physical examinations) of Florida Statutes to make medical records of licensed veterinary technicians confidential during investigations, aligning their privacy protections with those of veterinarians. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 1481/SB 1830 | Commercial Dog Breeder Registration/Inspections: Amends Title XXXV (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Industry), Chapter 585 (Animal Industry) of Florida Statutes by creating Part III (Dog Breeding) to require any individual or corporation that breeds dogs for profit to register with the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and for dog breeding facilities to be inspected by the department to ensure that quality standards are met and that only qualified individuals and facilities are authorized to breed dogs. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 1583/SB 1832 | Commercial Dog Breeder Registration/Renewal Fees: Amends Title XXXV (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Industry), Chapter 585 (Animal Industry), Part III (Dog Breeding) of Florida Statutes (proposed by HB 1481) to provide for a dog breeder certificate of registration fee and for a limit on such fees. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 1585/SB 1496 | Dog Breeding Trust Fund: Amends Title XXXV (Agriculture, Horticulture & Animal Industry), Chapter 585 (Animal Industry), Part III (Dog Breeding) of Florida Statutes (proposed by HB 1581) by creating a new Section 585.717 (Dog Breeders Trust Fund) to create the “Dog Breeders Trust Fund” within the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs to implement and enforce Part III (Dog Breeding). | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| SB 900 | Veterinary Technician Fees: Amends Title XXXII (Regulation of Occupations & Professions), Chapter 474 (Veterinary Practice Act), Section 474.208 (Veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists) of Florida Statutes to require veterinary technicians and technologists to pay a board-set examination fee for licensure, with specific provisions for those in good standing. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| ORD 2024002 | “Collier County Animal Abuser Registry Ordinance”: Amends Chapter 14 (Animals) of the Collier County, FL Code of Ordinances to establish a county animal abuser registry. | ADOPTED |
| REG 2025-001 | Green Iguana/Argentinian Black and White Tegu Rulemaking: Proposed FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission rulemaking to amend Chapter 68-5 (Rules Relating to Non-Native Species) to: (1) Address the removal, marking and sales of live green iguanas from wild established populations in Florida; (2) Provided caging requirements for captive juvenile green iguanas and tegus; (3) Address renewals for prohibited species pet permits; and (4) Clarify language regarding importation of Conditional or Prohibited species kept as pets, and additional options for FWC Law Enforcement for placement of Prohibited species. | PENDING |
View ALL Florida legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024-25 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025 session.