Gov. Jay Nixon has brokered a compromise between state-level animal-welfare groups and Missouri dog breeders over new restrictions on breeding operations.

The state Department of Agriculture released draft legislation alongside a letter signed by officials from agriculture groups and the Humane Society of Missouri endorsing the plan.

The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) financed a ballot issue last year that rewrote state laws to greatly restrict breeding operations. It passed with 51.7% of the vote.

However, lawmakers approved significant revisions to the law.

Breeders say the changes are necessary to allow legitimate businesses to stay in operation, but animal-welfare groups say they essentially gut the voter-approved restrictions.

The bill is now on Nixon’s desk awaiting either a veto or passage into law.

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