Legislation We Support - Capital Area Humane Society

Every Animal Has The Right To Live A Life Free From Pain And Suffering.
Stand With Us And Advocate For Those With No Voice.

Below you will find legislation that is pending in Michigan. You will also find several ways you can become involved and lobby on behalf of Michigan's pets. Get involved and make a difference for Michigan dogs and cats.

Sign-up below to become an advocate for animals! We will email you timely action alerts to assist with outreach to your legislators on important bills that affect Michigan pets.

A message from our President and CEO, Julia Willson:

"Advocating for companion animal welfare drives positive change, fostering empathy and responsibility while ensuring the well-being of our cherished animal companions. "

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Queenie's Law Veterinary Telehealth Buddy's Law - Pet Sheltering Bill Spay/Neuter License Plate Bill

Queenie's Law

Queenie's Law, SB 127 and HB 4254 was introduced by Sen. Paul Wojno (D) and Rep. Joseph Aragona (R). This bill would update current Michigan Public Health Code language(enacted in 1978) and would prohibit experiments that cause pain to dogs and cats at public institutions.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? This Senate bill passed. The House bill was referred to the Regulatory Reform committee and passed Oct 2025. Currently, the bill is now in the House rules committee.

When identical or substantially similar bills are introduced simultaneously in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, they are referred to as "companion bills." This practice aims to expedite the legislative process by allowing both chambers to consider the legislation concurrently.

The use of companion bills facilitates more efficient consideration and potential passage of legislation, as both chambers can work on the bill simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Contact your Representative and ask them to support Queenie’s Law, HB 4254! Contact your Senator and ask them to support Queenie's Law, SB 127!

Not sure who your legislators are? Find them here.

Queenie's Law Fact Sheet - March 2025

Veterinary Telehealth

The Veterinary Telehealth bill, HB 4220 (Rep. Aragona - R), HB 4221 (Rep. Pohutsky - D), SB 193 (Sen. Wojno - D) and SB 194 (Sen. Hauck - R) and would improve access to veterinary care for many. These bills would outline requirements for a VCPR (vet-client-patient relationship) and allow for a VCPR to be established through telehealth using real-time interactive audio and visual electronic technology for companion animals. An electronic examination would not be allowed to issue an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection or a pet health certificate.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? The Senate bills were referred to the Natural Resources & Agriculture committee. The House bills were referred to the Regulatory Reform committee.

Contact your Michigan House legislators and ask them to support HB 4220 and HB 4221 the vet telehealth bills. Contact your Michigan Senators and ask them to support SB 193 & SB 194.

Not sure who your legislators are? Find them here.

NOTE: When identical or substantially similar bills, like these are introduced simultaneously in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, they are referred to as "companion bills." This practice aims to expedite the legislative process by allowing both chambers to consider the legislation concurrently.

The use of companion bills facilitates more efficient consideration and potential passage of legislation, as both chambers can work on the bill simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Organizations that Support: ASPCA, Michigan Humane, Michigan Pet Alliance, Humane Society of Huron Valey, Big Lake Humane Society, Cherryland Humane Society, Compass Dog Rescue, Crash's Landing & Big Sid's Sanctuary, Delta Animal Shelter, Ferndale Cat Shelter, Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, Golden Years Alaskan Malamute Rescue, Great Lakes Humane Society, Greater Hillsdale Humane Society, Harbor Humane Society, Humane Society of Branch County, Humane World for Animals, Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, Humane Society of West Michigan, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assoс, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, Ontonagon County Animal Protection, Protect Michigan Pet Telehealth, Saint Clair County Animal Control, SPCA Southwest Michigan, Virtual Veterinary Care Association

Organizations that Oppose: VMA, MVMA

Buddy's Law - Pet Sheltering Bill

HB 4130 (Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou - D), HB 4131 (Rep. Joseph Aragona -R), HB 4132 (Rep. Brian BeGole - R), also known as Buddy's Law, was introduced in February 2025. This bill will update what constitutes adequate shelter throughout the state of Michigan so that all animals are protected equally and all animal owners are held to the same standards. It also provides law enforcement agencies with a clear set of guidelines to help them assess whether or not an animal is being housed appropriately.

Every year, Michigan animals are left outdoors in dangerous and often deadly situations. Our current laws do not adequately protect them or provide sufficient grounds for animal control officers to rescue animals who are being housed inappropriately, especially in cold weather.

Among the improvements this bill provides, it would explicitly prohibit the use of unmodified, uninsulated plastic and metal barrels as permanent housing for animals. It would also prohibit the use of wire or chain link bottom cages as permanent housing. This ensures that animals who live outdoors during Michigan's freezing winters are protected from the cold, wind and rain.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? These bills were referred to the House Judiciary committee.

Contact your Representative and ask them to support Buddy's Law!

Not sure who your legislator is? Find them here.

Spay/Neuter License Plate Bill

SB 106 proposes that Michigan join 26 other states with a not-for-profit license plate funding critically needed spay/neuter. This legislation was introduced by Sen. Polehanki (D) for low-income families and community programs across the state. In addition it will include training and support for animal welfare employees and volunteers.

Studies show the main barrier to getting a pet fixed is cost.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? This bill has passed the Senate and is now in the House. Please contact your Representative and ask them to support SB 106!

Not sure who your legislators are? Find them here.

MPA License Plate Fact Sheet

Find My Legislator

Effective Communication with Legislators

Communicating with your legislators via email, written letter, or in-person meetings are highly effective tools in your arsenal. Legislators know that constituents that are active and engaged, are more likely to vote. Do not feel intimidated by the process.

Below is a list of highly effective documents that will give you an idea of what to expect, how to prepare for meetings, and the do's and don'ts of being an effective animal advocate.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Step 1: Bills are Introduced
~Someone comes up with an idea (usually in the form of a complaint or suggestion from a constituent).
~A legislator works with staff to craft a bill that changes current law to address the complaint or suggestion.
~Bills get a number – House Bills start at #4001; Senate Bills at #1.
~MANY bills are introduced, as many as 5,000 in a two-year legislative session.

Step 2: Bills are Referred to a Committee
~All bills are referred to either a standing committee or the appropriations committee.
~Very few bills are discussed by a committee – the committee chair decides which bills are discussed, and which aren’t. Many go through the entire two-year legislative session without ever being discussed at all.

Step 3: Bills are Discussed by a Committee
~Committee members discuss and debate the bill.
~The committee may also hold public hearings on the bill. This is an opportunity for public input.

Step 4: Committee Action
~Committees will vote the bill out of committee – a majority of committee
members decides to recommend if they think the bill should be passed, or they can make changes to the bill, or they can suggest that another committee look at the bill.
~Amendments result in substitute bills.

Step 5: Floor Action
~A majority of the full House or Senate decides to pass the bill.
~Legislators can vote to return the bill to a committee for further discussion.
~Some bills are postponed for consideration, and some are tabled and are not considered again.

Step 6: Step 2-5 All Over Again
~Bills need to pass both the House and Senate.
~Bills passed in both chambers need to be identical.

Step 7: The Governor Decides
~The Governor can veto any bill or part of any appropriations bill.
~Needs a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate to override a veto.

Adapted from the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau publication of the same name.

Every Animal Has The Right To Live A Life Free From Pain And Suffering.Stand With Us And Advocate For Those With No Voice.

Find My Legislator

Effective Communication with Legislators

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Every Animal Has The Right To Live A Life Free From Pain And Suffering.
Stand With Us And Advocate For Those With No Voice.