SB 294 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Crimes: animals; forfeiture of seized animals and restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; amend. Amends sec. 50b of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.50b).

SB 294 strengthens Michigan's animal cruelty laws by increasing penalties for harming companion animals (like pets and service animals) and adding new requirements for convicted individuals. It classifies offenses into three degrees (with first-degree punishable by up to 10 years in prison) and mandates courts to order restitution for animal care costs, including veterinary treatment and shelter. The bill also allows courts to prohibit convicted individuals from owning animals for a specified period or permanently. Exemptions cover lawful activities like hunting, farming, and veterinary care. This law directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty, particularly those targeting companion animals.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jul 2026

Senate Passage

Sep 2025

House Passage

Jul 2026

Signed into Law

Jul 2026

Introduced May 13, 2025 Signed Jul 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate → As Passed by the House · 6 edits · Jul 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was restructured to clearly define 'animal' and 'companion animal' and establish specific felony degrees for cruelty, ranging from 10 years to no jail time depending on severity. It introduced new provisions for seizing animals, requiring agencies to hold them for up to 14 days while allowing owners to post a bond to prevent forfeiture. The bill also expanded exemptions to include pest control, scientific research, and veterinary practices, and added immunity for animal control agencies acting under the law.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include service animals under the definition of companion animals and added specific exemptions for lawful activities like hunting, fishing, and pest control.

DEFINITION

Added precise definitions for 'animal' and 'companion animal' to clarify legal protections.

REQUIREMENT

Established a tiered penalty system with three degrees of felony charges based on the severity of the act and the type of animal involved.

Mandated that animal control agencies provide specific written notice to owners regarding seizure, bond requirements, and the right to a hearing within 72 hours.

Granted civil immunity to animal control agencies for actions taken to lawfully dispose of seized animals under the new provisions.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a new seizure process where animal control agencies can hold animals for up to 14 days, with options for owners to post a bond or request a hearing to prevent forfeiture.

SCOPE

Added explicit exemptions for lawful killing of livestock, pest control, scientific research, and veterinary medicine to prevent conflicts with other laws.

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · Sep 18, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's animal cruelty laws to clarify definitions, expand exemptions for lawful activities, and establish a detailed process for seizing and forfeiting animals involved in criminal cases. It adds specific protections for veterinarians and scientific research while creating a structured system where animals can be held by control agencies until court proceedings conclude, with options for forfeiture if owners fail to post security bonds.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of exemptions to include specific pest control, wildlife management, and veterinary practices, while adding new provisions regarding the seizure, holding, and potential forfeiture of animals used as evidence in cruelty cases.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'Animal' as any vertebrate other than a human being and clarified the definition of 'Companion animal' to include dogs and cats.

EXEMPTIONS

Added new exemptions for lawful killing of animals related to fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, pest control, scientific research, and veterinary medicine.

ENFORCEMENT

Introduced a comprehensive seizure and forfeiture process allowing animal control agencies to hold seized animals for up to 14 days, with provisions for security deposits or bonds to prevent immediate forfeiture pending court rulings.

Included new provisions allowing courts to order the forfeiture of animals to animal control agencies if owners are convicted of cruelty or fail to post required security bonds within specified timeframes.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for animal control agencies to provide written notice to owners within 72 hours of seizing an animal, detailing the seizure circumstances and the option to request a hearing regarding bond amounts.

Added conditions under which an animal control agency may humanely euthanize a seized animal if it is injured beyond recovery or poses a threat to public safety, regardless of whether a bond was posted.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 18, 2025 · House Jul 3, 2026

How they voted

30–4

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 38

Sep 18, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

11 Yea 4 Nay 4

57% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jul 29, 2026

Introduced

FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE 7/27/2026 12:16 PM

upper

Jul 29, 2026

Signed into law

APPROVED BY GOVERNOR 7/21/2026 1:10 PM

upper

Jul 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #293 Yeas 84 Nays 24 Excused 0 Not Voting 2

lower

Jul 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

motion to discharge committee approved

lower

Sep 18, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Judiciary

lower

Sep 18, 2025

Introduced

received on 09/18/2025

lower

Sep 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 230 YEAS 29 NAYS 4 EXCUSED 4 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Sep 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)

upper

Sep 16, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

upper

Sep 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 9/11/2025

upper

May 13, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY

upper

May 13, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR DAYNA POLEHANKI

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors