Government Affairs

CVMA provides information to veterinarians to help them stay current with relevant government affairs issues. At appropriate times and for specific matters, CVMA sends out “Calls to Action.” For Government advocacy, two keys are the timing of and the numbers that respond to “Calls to Action”.

Recently Enacted Laws in Illinois

HB 4540 — Companion Animal Custody Equity Act When there is a fight over possession of a companion animal, this act will consider the animal’s wellbeing and the parties’ caregiving relationship to the animal vs. just “ownership of property.”

SB 2891 — Animal Shelter Adoption Info This law establishes significantly stronger requirements surrounding shelter/animal-control adoption.

SB 3213 — Electronic Prescriptions Effective January 1, 2027, this law allows a pharmacy to transfer a prescription at the patient’s request, including Schedule II prescriptions. All controlled substance prescriptions must be filed electronically with pharmacies (II-V), with few exceptions.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in the Federal Congress
The House Energy & Commerce Committee voted unanimously in July 2026 to advance the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. Earlier in the year, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee also advanced this legislation with a bipartisan vote.

To show your support of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, contact your member of Congress about supporting legislation to preserve veterinary access to this drug.

View a sample letter to send to legislators here.

Poultry Owners: Report Sick Birds!
Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a deadly poultry disease that spreads quickly. If you see any sign of illness in your birds, report it immediately.

USDA Screwworm Playbook
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is sharing a new roadmap outlining how the agency will regularly review the New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Playbook. The content is a science based resource to help responders across the United States with timely resolutions.

Minor Use and Minor Species (MUMS) Blueprint for Success
The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has developed a 3-year blueprint aimed at modernizing minor use and minor species programs and incentives.

Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico
As a result of New World Screwworm cases documented in the United States, Mexico has introduced new rules regarding the import of dogs and pet birds from the U.S. that went into effect on August 3, 2026.

Animal Exportation
Veterinarians are often in the front lines of animal exportation situations. The live animal export information located on the APHIS website is updated regularly and may be viewed at the History of Requirement Updates for Live Animal Exports page. Questions may be directed to your local Veterinary Services center.

Bill 5411, known as the Rabies Vaccination Access for Shelters and Public Health Act
Illinois House Bill 5411, known as the Rabies Vaccination Access for Shelters and Public Health Act, successfully passed both legislative chambers. The enrolled bill was sent to Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 18, 2026, for his signature. The legislation makes significant updates to the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004.
Key Provisions

Task Delegation: Allows licensed veterinarians to delegate the administration of rabies vaccinations to certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) working under direct supervision.
Pre-requisites: Requires the supervising veterinarian to perform a physical exam and deem the animal healthy prior to the vaccination.
Education & Training: Certified veterinary technicians must complete a specialized 2-hour rabies vaccination continuing education course.
Certification: Rabies certificates may only be signed by the administering veterinarian or the CVT who completed the continuing education program.

If signed into law, the provisions outlined in HB5411 are scheduled to officially go into effect on January 1, 2027.
The full legislative text as well as tracking of the governor’s actions may be viewed at Illinois General Assembly.

Stop Screwworm: Unified Government Response to Protect the United States New World screwworm (NWS) is a serious pest of livestock and wildlife. USDA is leading a coordinated One Health response to combat NWS. More.

Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico All dogs, including U.S. origin dogs returning to the U.S. after traveling to Mexico, must meet APHIS requirements for screwworm freedom certification upon entry into the United States. More.

High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies Specific countries and political units are considered high risk for importing dog rabies into the United States. Dogs that have been in any of these countries within the past 6 months are required to be vaccinated against rabies in order to enter the U.S. They must also meet additional requirements. More.

Veterinary Provisions in House-Passed Farm Bill The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a new Farm Bill that would reauthorize many federal programs and policies essential to veterinary medicine. More.

USDA-Accredited Veterinarians: Certifying Animals for International Travel (Export) This article is for USDA-accredited veterinarians to learn about certifying animals for international travel (export), completing and submitting health certificates for USDA endorsement, and using the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). More.

Illinois Employment Law Updates Illinois continues to blaze quite a trail for employee rights and benefits, through expanded paid leave, mandatory AI disclosures, and additional workplace protections. More.

Major Student Loan Changes Taking Effect Soon On May 1, the U.S. Education Department (ED) published final regulations, detailing how it will implement provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which the Trump administration is rebranding as the “Working Families Tax Cuts Act.” More.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in the Federal Congress
S.545 (Senate): This advanced out of the Senate Committee and is awaiting vote by the whole chamber.
H.R.1266 (House): This is sitting in House Committee. Hearing was held in late March. No movement has been made since that hearing.

House of Representatives advances Farm Bill to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced a new Farm Bill that reauthorizes federal programs central to veterinary medicine. The legislation includes measures to strengthen dog importation standards, support animal disease prevention and traceability, and sustain workforce programs aimed at rural veterinary shortages. The bill incorporates the Healthy Dog Importation Act, extends key animal disease programs through 2031, reauthorizes workforce initiatives, such as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), and continues support for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database Program (FARAD). The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection
Illinois is transitioning to electronic certificates of veterinary inspection (ECVIs). As of July 1, 2026, paper CVIs will no longer be supplied or accepted. More.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
PSLF encourages borrowers to enter and remain in the public/nonprofit sector for at least 10 years by promising to forgive their remaining federal student loan debt at that time. More.

Combat illegal xylazine while protecting veterinary access
Xylazine is an FDA-approved animal sedative critical to facilitating the safe handling and treatment of many animal species, including cattle, horses, dogs, deer, elk, rats, mice, wildlife, and zoo animals. Increasingly, illicit xylazine is showing up in street drugs as traffickers have begun mixing xylazine with fentanyl and other narcotics with grave human health and safety consequences. More.

View a sample letter to send to legislators here.

Pharmaceuticals/Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP)
Illinois introduced IL H.B. 4243, which would define “retail pharmacy” and create additional requirements for those that receive 150 or more prescription drug orders during their operating hours. More.

Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004
The state of Illinois has a Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 which governs the practice of veterinary medicine to ensure public and animal safety and welfare. It defines the qualifications and licensing requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, sets standards for professional conduct, and prohibits unlicensed individuals from practicing veterinary medicine. The law also governs the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and provides mechanisms for disciplinary action against those who violate the rules. See the full statute.