Bills · HR 2185
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2185Agriculture and Food
Mink VIRUS Act
INTRO MAR 18· LAST ACTION APR 18
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it proposes a significant change to a specific agricultural industry in the U.S. If it becomes law, it would effectively end commercial mink farming nationwide, citing public health and human safety concerns. This means a complete shift for an industry that has operated for decades, leading to job losses and business closures, albeit with financial compensation for the owners.
Voters should care because it represents a legislative attempt to proactively address potential public health risks associated with animal agriculture, as well as animal welfare concerns. It also raises questions about government intervention in private industries and the use of taxpayer funds to facilitate such transitions. If the bill doesn't become law, mink farming would continue as it currently does, without the federal prohibition or the compensation program.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Prohibits the farming of mink for their fur in the United States starting one year after the bill becomes law.
This provision fundamentally changes the mink fur industry, making current operations illegal nationwide.
PROVISION 02
Requires that any termination of farmed mink be done humanely, following specific veterinary euthanasia standards, starting 90 days after the law is enacted.
This ensures that mink are not subjected to cruel methods of termination during the transition period or at any other time.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a payment program for mink fur farm owners, compensating them for the costs of complying with the ban and the market value of their mink farming operation.
This provides financial support to help farmers absorb the economic impact of the prohibition and transition to other livelihoods.
PROVISION 04
Requires recipients of compensation to grant a permanent easement on their property prohibiting future fur farm operations.
This ensures that the compensated properties cannot be used for mink or other fur farming in the future, securing the ban long-term.
PROVISION 05
Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for continuing to farm mink and up to $10,000 per mink for non-compliant termination methods.
These penalties provide strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with the new prohibitions and humane treatment requirements.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
D· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
47
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 40%
DEM 4 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSAPR 18
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
MAR 18
Introduced in House
MAR 18
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2185
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMar 18, 2025
Last actionApr 18, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 18, 2025
House BillHR 2185Agriculture and Food
Mink VIRUS Act
INTRODUCED MAR 18, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 18, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
