Bills · HR 349
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 349Animals
Goldie’s Act
INTRO JAN 13· LAST ACTION FEB 14
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
94
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-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to directly improve the welfare of animals held by commercial breeders, exhibitors, and research facilities by strengthening federal oversight. If this bill becomes law, it means that businesses that don't meet basic animal care standards would face swifter and more significant consequences, and suffering animals could be removed from harmful situations more quickly. This addresses public concerns about animal cruelty and neglect in regulated facilities.
Without this bill, current enforcement mechanisms might be seen as less stringent or slower, potentially allowing some facilities to operate with recurring violations or to hide issues. The bill's emphasis on mandatory annual inspections, follow-up until correction, mandatory penalties, and inter-agency cooperation seeks to create a more proactive and responsive system, making it harder for repeat offenders to continue operating and ensuring quicker intervention for animals in distress.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires annual inspections of research facilities, dealers, and exhibitors, and mandates follow-up inspections until all violations are corrected.
This ensures consistent oversight and forces businesses to fully address any issues found, rather than letting problems persist.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes USDA inspectors to promptly confiscate or humanely destroy animals suffering physical or psychological harm due to non-compliance.
This gives inspectors direct power to intervene immediately to protect animals in severe distress.
PROVISION 03
Mandates civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation, calculated per animal and per violation, with a minimum penalty amount, and requires a cease-and-desist order.
This significantly increases the financial consequences for breaking animal welfare rules and makes penalties unavoidable.
PROVISION 04
Requires the USDA to share records of all identified violations with State, local, and municipal animal control or law enforcement officials within 24 hours.
This promotes immediate cooperation between federal and local authorities to address animal welfare concerns.
PROVISION 05
Sets specific requirements for administrative hearings, including requiring a veterinarian and two animal care specialists or directors on the panel, and a 21-day timeline for hearings.
This ensures that decisions on violations are made by qualified individuals and happen in a timely manner.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 94
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
55
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 28%
DEM 81 REP 13 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 14
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
JAN 13
Introduced in House
JAN 13
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 349
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 13, 2025
Last actionFeb 14, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025
House BillHR 349Animals
Goldie’s Act
INTRODUCED JAN 13, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 14, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
94
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
