Sponsors (12)
The bill strengthens animal import controls and near-real-time data-sharing to better prevent and respond to animal-borne disease threats, but it raises compliance costs and potential liabilities for importers and creates regulatory complexity during the transition.
The public (through state veterinarians and public health officials): gain timely access to centralized import data (within 3 days), improving detection, surveillance, and response to animal-borne disease threats at the border.
The general public and animal health system: tighter import controls (accredited veterinary certificates, required vaccinations and tests, and permanent identification) reduce the risk that animal-borne diseases enter and spread in the U.S.
Taxpayers and the USDA: establishes fee authority so USDA can recover program implementation costs from users rather than relying entirely on general taxpayer funding, supporting sustainable program funding.
Importers, transporters, and small pet-trade businesses: will face new recurring compliance costs (electronic submissions, accredited vet certificates, permits, permanent IDs) that raise the cost of bringing dogs into the U.S.
Importers and carriers: face significant financial liabilities (penalties, quarantine costs, forfeiture, and mandated care) for noncompliance, increasing the risk of large unexpected expenses.
Travelers, businesses, and state governments: tighter rules combined with exceptions and carve-outs (e.g., Hawaii, military/research exemptions) create complexity and uneven burdens that can complicate compliance and enforcement.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes USDA rules requiring electronic pre-submission of health certificates, permanent ID, permits, age limits, data-sharing, fees, and penalties for importing live dogs.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Dustin Johnson · Last progress May 13, 2025
Creates a new USDA regulatory framework to control the importation of live dogs by requiring electronic pre-submission of health documentation, permanent identification, age and permit rules for dogs intended for transfer, and certificates from accredited veterinarians. The Secretary of Agriculture must write implementing regulations within 18 months (in consultation with HHS, Commerce, DHS, and Transportation), collect and share records with State veterinarians, charge fees to support the program, and use existing enforcement authorities to impose penalties, quarantine, care, removal, or forfeiture for noncompliance. Existing Animal Welfare Act import rules continue during a transition and then are repealed once the new rules are in place.