A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act. It changes the Animal Welfare Act to tighten up rules for animal dealers and exhibitors. The bill requires annual license renewals and unannounced facility inspections. It adds new veterinary care standards like physical exams and vaccinations. It also sets up stricter rules for suspending or revoking licenses and requires violation reports to be published online.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to publish unredacted investigation reports, enforcement records, and animal inventories on a public website.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal oversight by mandating strict licensing, unannounced inspections, and public reporting requirements through the Department of Agriculture.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners who are animal dealers or exhibitors face stricter licensing standards, mandatory annual veterinary visits, and harsh penalties for noncompliance.
- Scored -4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes strict annual licensing requirements, mandatory unannounced inspections, and severe penalties that create administrative burdens for animal dealers and exhibitors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 requires unannounced facility inspections before a dealer or exhibitor can get a new license. This is positive because it ensures facilities actually meet standards before operating.
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Section 3 establishes minimum veterinary care standards, including regular visits and complete physical examinations for animals every 12 months. This is positive because it promotes better health and humane treatment for animals.
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Section 4 forces the Secretary to permanently revoke licenses for violations that present a risk to animal welfare if the violation continues or happens again. This is positive because it holds bad actors accountable.
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Section 5 requires the Secretary to publish unredacted investigation reports, enforcement records, and animal inventories on a public website. This is positive because it creates transparency and lets the public see how officials are enforcing the law.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2 sets a strict limit where new applicants only get up to two inspections within a 90-day period, and if they fail the second one, their application is denied and they cannot reapply for a full year. This could be a burden for new business owners who make early mistakes.
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Section 4 bans family members, household members, and associated businesses from getting a license if another related person has a suspended or revoked license. This could negatively impact innocent family members or business associates who had no part in the violation.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to publish unredacted investigation reports, enforcement records, and animal inventories on a public website. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight by mandating strict licensing, unannounced inspections, and public reporting requirements through the Department of Agriculture.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners who are animal dealers or exhibitors face stricter licensing standards, mandatory annual veterinary visits, and harsh penalties for noncompliance.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes strict annual licensing requirements, mandatory unannounced inspections, and severe penalties that create administrative burdens for animal dealers and exhibitors.
- 9/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York