Sponsors (38)
The bill strengthens and speeds federal enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act—reducing animal suffering and improving uniformity—while imposing substantial new enforcement powers, penalties, fees, and potential due-process and cost burdens on small businesses, owners, and rescuers.
Animals (and the public who value their welfare): animals subject to the AWA can be inspected, seized, and removed more quickly (including via court warrants), reducing ongoing suffering and exposure to harm.
Regulated entities and the public: the Attorney General/DOJ may bring civil AWA enforcement in federal court (an additional, concurrent pathway to USDA enforcement), which centralizes enforcement, can produce more uniform application of standards across states, and likely increases deterrence and compliance.
Nonprofits and rescuers: penalty receipts can be used to fund temporary care for seized animals, reducing immediate reliance on private rescues and ensuring animals get care promptly.
Small business owners and exhibitors: civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation per day) and related fines can create severe financial exposure that may threaten the viability of small dealers, exhibitors, or licensees.
Owners and organizations facing enforcement: expanded seizure and forfeiture authority plus associated fees can lead to property loss and substantial legal costs, raising due-process and rights concerns for alleged violators.
Nonprofits, rescues, and alleged violators: requiring fees to cover transfer, care, or storage shifts immediate costs onto alleged violators or to rescues/shelters while legal disposition is pending, creating short-term financial strain and operational burdens.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Expands federal civil enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act, adds DOJ forfeiture authority, allows up to $10,000/day penalties, permits warrants, and requires an MOU between USDA and DOJ within 180 days.
Introduced April 30, 2025 by Richard Blumenthal · Last progress April 30, 2025
Expands federal enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by giving the Department of Justice independent civil enforcement and forfeiture powers, allowing courts to issue warrants for enforcement actions, and authorizing civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day. It clarifies inspection and enforcement scope, broadens licensing prohibitions, lets agencies use penalty receipts to pay for temporary animal care, and requires the USDA Secretary to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Attorney General within 180 days to share information and implement the new authorities.