This bill, called Goldie's Act, changes the Animal Welfare Act to increase how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Secretary) enforces animal care rules. It adds a definition for the term "violation." Inspectors must inspect each research facility and the premises of each dealer and exhibitor at least once a year, document any violations in detail, and do follow-up inspections until violations are fixed. The Secretary must have access to business locations, animals, and required records and must make investigations and inspections necessary to find violations. The bill requires rules for inspectors to confiscate or humanely destroy animals found to be suffering because of violations and stops owners from destroying such animals once an inspector has said they intend to confiscate. The Secretary must give copies of inspection records documenting violations to state and local animal control or law enforcement within 24 hours. The bill raises civil penalties and enforcement procedures, including hearings, penalty guidelines, and steps to collect unpaid fines.
No publicly available information on overall federal cost estimates or budget effects is included in the bill text. The bill does specify monetary penalties: a civil penalty up to $10,000 for each violation (with each day a violation continues treated as a separate offense) and a civil penalty of $1,500 for knowingly failing to obey a cease-and-desist order. The bill also requires hearings, annual inspections, and additional administrative actions, but it does not include cost estimates for those activities.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.