California · 2025–26 Regular Session · Assembly Bill
AB 2344: Animal abuse: forfeiture.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
AB 2344 is a assembly bill introduced in the California Assembly on February 19, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Animal abuse: forfeiture. Primary sponsor: Matt Haney (D). It lists 5 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 27, 2026): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 599, Statutes of 2026.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.
Existing law authorizes a peace officer, humane society officer, or animal control officer to take possession of a stray or abandoned animal in specified circumstances, including when the animal is kept without proper care and attention, as specified. Existing law provides that if an animal is seized pursuant to those provisions or pursuant to a warrant, the owner is personally liable to the seizing agency for the cost of the seizure and care of the animal. Existing law deems the animal to then be abandoned by the owner under specified circumstances, including if the owner, within 14 days of notice of availability of the animal to be returned, fails to pay charges and take possession of the animal.
This bill would make those provisions apply to animals seized pursuant to any provision of California law.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Haney | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Assembly | 17 |
| Juan Alanis | Co-sponsor | Republican | Assembly | 22 |
| Tom Lackey | Co-sponsor | Republican | Assembly | 34 |
| Stephanie Nguyen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Assembly | 10 |
| James Ramos | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Assembly | 45 |
| Nick Schultz | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Assembly | 44 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 599, Statutes of 2026.
- Approved by the Governor.
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
- From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (August 30).
- Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6989.).
- Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 6985.)
- Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 6844.)
- Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
- In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).
- Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
- Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.