REFERENCE TITLE: animal breeders; dogs; cats; taxes

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

 

 

 

SB 1539

 

Introduced by

Senator Payne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending title 44, chapter 11, arizona revised statutes, by adding article 2.1; relating to business regulations.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 44, chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 2.1, to read:

ARTICLE 2.1. domestic companion ANIMAL breeders

START_STATUTE44-1617. Sale of domestic companion animals; transaction privilege tax; requirements; civil penalty; definitions

A. A breeder that sells a domestic companion animal shall pay transaction privilege tax pursuant to title 42, CHAPTER 5.

B. Before selling a domestic companion animal, the breeder shall do all of the following to protect the consumer or purchaser:

1. Provide the consumer or purchaser with a valid certificate of veterinary inspection that is provided by a veterinarian who is licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 21 for each domestic companion animal sold.

2. Maintain consistent conditions as prescribed in section 44-1799.04 that include a safe indoor and outdoor environment to ensure the health and well-being of each domestic companion animal.

C. A breeder shall maintain safe breeding practices and make reasonable efforts to find humane placement or, if required, euthanasia.

D. A person that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Breeder":

(a) Means any person that breeds and raises a domestic companion animal for the express purpose of selling the domestic companion animal.

(b) Includes a Hobby breeder. For the purposes of this subdivision, "Hobby breeder" means any person that breeds two or more litters of domestic companion animals per year.

2. "Consumer or purchaser" means a person who purchases any domestic companion animal without an intent to resell.

3. "Domestic companion animal":

(a) means any domesticated dog or cat that is bred and kept as a household pet or companion.

(b) does not include livestock as defined in section 3-1201.END_STATUTE