SR255: SR255 Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices; create

This resolution sets up the Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices. The preamble describes concerns about puppy mills and backyard breeding operations that prioritize profit over animal welfare, the burden these operations place on taxpayers, shelters, and rescue groups, and public safety and health risks tied to stray and feral animal populations. The resolution creates a five member committee appointed by the President of the Senate, with one member serving as chairperson. The committee is directed to study these issues and recommend action or legislation it considers necessary. Legislative members receive standard travel and expense allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), funded through the Senate's budget, for up to five meeting days unless more are approved. The committee must file any approved report before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices, made up of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study problems tied to abusive animal breeding, including puppy mills and backyard breeding, and recommend legislation or other action.
• Lets the chairperson call and schedule meetings as needed to carry out the committee's work.
• Authorizes legislative members to receive standard state allowances for up to five meeting days, paid from Senate funds, unless additional days are approved.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The resolution directly affects the five senators appointed to the study committee. Its work would eventually touch companion animal breeders, animal shelters and rescue organizations, local governments dealing with stray and feral animals, and Georgia pet owners and communities affected by breeding practices.

The committee itself does not change any law, but its recommendations could shape future legislation on animal breeding licensing, enforcement, and welfare standards in Georgia, potentially affecting breeders, shelters, and local governments that manage stray animal populations.

• Paragraph 1 creates the Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee membership at five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 gives the committee authority to study breeding-related problems and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph 5 ties legislative member allowances to O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 and caps paid meeting days at five unless more are authorized, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 lays out reporting requirements, requiring majority approval of any report before filing with the Secretary of the Senate.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2025-03-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2025-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-02-24Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #380

• animal welfare
• puppy mills
• companion animal breeding
• legislative study committees
• animal shelters