Sponsors (38)
The bill strengthens federal enforcement to stop animal cruelty and improve accountability, but does so by increasing fines, seizure authority, compliance burdens, potential litigation costs, and coordination risks for regulated parties and agencies.
Pet owners, animals, and animal-welfare responders: strengthens federal civil enforcement (expanded injunctions, seizures, forfeiture) plus clearer inspection/warrant authority so cruelty can be stopped more quickly and animals removed from dangerous conditions.
Federal prosecutors, DOJ, and harmed parties: clarifies and strengthens federal authority to bring and decide Animal Welfare Act cases and obtain federal remedies, improving enforcement consistency and the chance victims obtain relief.
Small business owners and exhibitors: requires animals in commerce be handled only by valid, unsuspended licensees, improving accountability and consumer protections in animal commerce.
Individuals found responsible and animal owners: face substantial civil penalties (up to $10,000 per day) and loss of animals through seizure/forfeiture even without a criminal conviction, creating large financial and personal risk.
Dealers, exhibitors, and small businesses: stricter licensing rules and greater enforcement powers raise compliance costs, risk business disruption, and increase the chance of license suspension or revocation.
Regulated entities and parties to enforcement actions: clearer federal enforcement intent and strengthened federal jurisdiction may shift more cases to federal courts and create uncertainty (including from nonbinding statements), increasing litigation and preparation costs.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Strengthens Animal Welfare Act enforcement by expanding inspection powers, authorizing DOJ civil actions with fines up to $10,000/day, seizure/forfeiture, and reimbursement of temporary caregivers.
Official title: Amend the Animal Welfare Act to expand and improve the enforcement capabilities of the Attorney General, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2025 by Richard Blumenthal · Last progress April 30, 2025
Amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement and expand federal civil authority. It tightens licensing prohibitions for dealers and exhibitors, broadens inspection and investigation authority to cover rules and standards, authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil suits (including injunctions, license revocation, and daily civil penalties up to $10,000), permits seizure and forfeiture of animals under federal law, and allows civil-penalty receipts to reimburse people who provide temporary care for animals. The bill also requires a memorandum of understanding between USDA and the Department of Justice to share information on repeat serious violators within 180 days and includes a nonbinding Sense of Congress clarifying federal court jurisdiction over Animal Welfare Act violations and rules.