SB 573 (2026): establishing certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs.

SB 573 (2026)

establishing certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: Animals
• Chapter law: 267

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 14, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0683s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0683s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 19, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 1, 2026, with 10 people signed in online: 7 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 8, 2026, April 21, 2026 and April 28, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 29, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 14–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1675h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1675h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 21, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Howard Pearl. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2145e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 267 of the session laws. It took effect on August 31, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Rep. Jonathan Morton (R - Hills 39)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 1, 2026, 10:30 AM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 8, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 21, 2026, 1:15 PM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 28, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 29, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0683s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1675h — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 1
• SC 6
• SJ 4
• HJ 8, page 114
• HC 19, page 8
• HJ 13, pages 6 and 9
• SJ 13
• HJ 15, pages 44 and 52
• SJ 14