NABR has identified the following bills introduced or enacted during the current session of the U.S. Congress that could impact biomedical research institutions.  Updates on pending legislation are provided frequently to NABR institutional members.  For more information, please see NABR Members Only section of main website or contact NABR directly.

BILLS INTRODUCED – 111^th Congress

Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 3907/S. 1834)

On October 21, 2009 Senator Daniel K. Akaka introduced the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009, S. 1834. On October 22, 2009 Representative Michael F. Doyle introduced the House version, H.R. 3907.  If enacted, he bills would amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any research facility or Federal research facility from using a dog or cat for research or educational purposes unless the dog or cat was obtained from a permissible source, as defined by the bill. To check the current status of S. 1834, click here.  To check the current status of H.R. 3907, click here.  

Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act (H.R. 3501)

Representative Thaddeus McCotter introduced H.R. 3501, the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act on July 31, 2009.  The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction, up to $3,500 per year, for pet care expenses (including veterinary care). The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. To check the current status, visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3501

Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326)

Representatives Edolphus Towns (D-NY), David Reichert (R-WA), Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) introduced H.R. 1326, the Great Ape Protection Act on March 5, 2009. The bill prohibits (1) invasive research on great apes; (2) breeding, posessing or selling a great ape for invasive research; and (3) using federal funds to conduct such research. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. To check the current status, visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1326

Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 80)

Representative Earl Blumenauer introduced H.R. 80, the Captive Primate Safety Act, on January 6, 2009. The bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add nonhuman primates to the definition of "prohibited wildlife species" for purposes of the prohibition against the sale or purchase of such species in interstate or foreign commerce. The current form of the bill maintains exemptions for research facilities. The bill was passed in the House without amendment on February 24, 2009 and is pending in the Senate. To view the current status, visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-80

NEW LAWS ADOPTED by 110^th Congress

Chimp Haven is Home Act (S. 1916)

On December 21, 2007 , the President signed legislation into law (P.L. 110-170) an amendment to the Public Health Service Act repealing authority to remove animals from a sanctuary and restricting research on retired chimpanzees in the sanctuary system to non-invasive behavioral observations or medical studies based on normal veterinary care information.  Read full text of P.L. 110-170 (pdf) here.

2008 Farm Bill

The House and Senate overrode the President’s veto and approved the 2008 Farm Bill (H.R. 6124, now P.L. 110-246), which among many other provisions includes language that would increase the maximum fine for violations of the Animal Welfare Act from $2,500 to $10,000. While this language would increase the maximum fine USDA could levy for violations, it does not make such fines mandatory or increase minimum fine amounts.  In response to biomedical research concerns, the 2008 Farm Bill does not include language eliminating Class B dealers as a suppliers of random-source dogs and cats, but does include language directing USDA to report to the House and Senate Agriculture committees on the results of the pending NIH-commissioned study of the issue. 

BILLS INTRODUCED – 110^th Congress

Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008

Congressman John Conyers Jr. introduced H.R. 6597, The Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008 on July 24, 2008. The bill directs the Attorney General to make appropriate changes to existing crime data bases maintained within the Department of Justice so that data on all crimes of animal cruelty will be collected and made publicly available in a manner that facilitates analysis. Find copy of H.R. 6597 or check its status here.

Farm Animal Anti-Cruelty Act

H.R. 6202 was introduced in June 2008.  If passed it would make it a federal offense to without jurisdiction, kill, mutilate, disfigure, torture or intentionally inflict pain or suffering on an animal raised for food or to fail to provide food, water and shelter.  The bill contains an exemption for scientific and agricultural research. Read the full text or check its status here.

The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act of 2008

The overall purpose of H.R. 6100 appears to be keeping children safe from harmful chemicals.  In addition, Sec. 508 directs the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require where practicable the use of replacement alternatives to animal tests or reduction alternatives to decrease the number of animals used in testing, to fund research and validations studies and publish a list of such alternative testing of methods.  The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Read full text of H.R. 6100 or check status here.

Great Ape Protection Act

H.R. 5852, introduced on April 17, 2008 , would prohibit invasive research on any of the following species of nonhuman primates: chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans or gibbons, held, used, or bred for invasive research.  Federal funding, transportation of and breeding of said species for such purposes would also be prohibited.  The bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs.  Read full text of H.R. 5852 or check its status here.

Captive Primate Safety Act

H.R. 2964, H.R. 4933 and S. 1498 are bills that would amend the Lacey Act by adding nonhuman primates (i.e., monkeys, apes, etc.) to the definition of "prohibited wildlife species" for purposes of prohibiting the sale or purchase of animals in interstate or foreign commerce; exceptions are allowed to such a sale or purchase for zoos, research facilities, or other federally licensed and regulated entities. Read full text of H.R. 2964 or check its status here.  Read full text of S. 1498 or check its status here.

Animal Protection Accountability Improvement Act

H.R. 2193, an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), would: (1) prohibit the demonstration of a medical device on any live animals for marketing purposes, including creating a video; (2) increase maximum USDA penalties for AWA violations from $2500 to $10,000 and count each animal involved as a separate violation; and (3) require USDA to report to Congress the names of all licensed persons under the AWA, a list of investigations and inspections and recommendations for improved legislation.  Also see the 2008 Farm Bill listed above. Read full text of H.R. 2193 or check its status here.  

Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2007

H.R. 1280 and S. 714, bills to eliminate Class B dealers as a source of non-purpose bred dogs and cats for research use, were again introduced in early March of 2007.  This legislation has been proposed to every Congress since 1996.  Also see the 2008 Farm Bill listed above.  Read full text of H.R. 1280 or check its status here.  Read full text of S. 714 or check its status here.