Bill Sponsor
House Bill 4211
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Aug 27, 2019
Overview
Text
Introduced
Aug 27, 2019
Latest Action
Sep 4, 2019
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
4211
Congress
116
Policy Area
Animals
Animals
Primary focus of measure is animal protection; human-animal relationships; wildlife conservation and habitat protection; veterinary medicine. Measures concerning endangered or threatened species may fall under Environmental Protection policy area. Measures concerning wildlife refuge matters may fall under Public Lands and Natural Resources policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Illinois
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
California
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
District of Columbia
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Republican
Pennsylvania
Democrat
Pennsylvania
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Tennessee
Democrat
Tennessee
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Washington
Democrat
Wisconsin
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act

This bill revises the licensing process of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for animal dealers and exhibitors to expand USDA's oversight and enforcement of animal welfare requirements. The bill also authorizes citizen suits to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.

Dealers and exhibitors must apply to USDA for licenses or renewal licenses each year. Before issuing or renewing licenses, USDA must conduct unannounced facility inspections.

USDA must deny an application for

  • a new license if the applicant fails to meet animal welfare standards during a second inspection,
  • a renewal license if the applicant violates such standards in more than one inspection in the previous two years, or
  • a new or renewal license if the dealer or exhibitor has violated laws relating to animals or if the issuance of the license would facilitate the circumvention of state or local laws that prohibit the private ownership of certain animals.

Further, USDA must suspend the licenses of dealers or exhibitors whose violations present a risk to animal welfare. USDA must revoke the licenses if the violations persist or if the licensees commit multiple violations. Dealers and exhibitors with suspended or revoked licenses may not be (1) granted another license, (2) granted another license through another person or entity, or (3) employed by another licensee to work with animals during the period of the suspension or revocation.

Text (1)
August 27, 2019
Actions (3)
09/04/2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
08/27/2019
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
08/27/2019
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Nov 1, 2022 1:50:08 PM