
Legislation – Federal Bills
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the state and local levels to advance important legislation. We advocate for laws that promote or protect the lives and interests of animals, and we oppose legislation that would be detrimental to animals’ well-being.
We also work closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s other programs to identify opportunities to create model legislation that address strategic legal issues in the areas of civil and criminal law, and monitor legislation that impacts animals at the federal, state, and local levels.
Federal Bills

Preventing Future Pandemics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Aims to shut down commercial wildlife markets globally

The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products

Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Suspends the USDA’s authority to issue new waivers related to line speeds in slaughterhouses and suspend current waivers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Farm System Reform Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Farm System Reform Act would overhaul the United States’ cruel and environmentally destructive animal agricultural industry, in part, by placing a moratorium on the largest factory farms.

Big Cat Public Safety Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Big Cat Public Safety Act prohibits the private ownership of big cats and makes it illegal for exhibitors to allow direct contact with cubs.

Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act would prohibit the use of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Captive Primate Safety Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Captive Primate Safety Act prohibits the sale or transportation of nonhuman primates for the wild “pet” trade.

Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA) would prohibit the use of wild animals in traveling shows such as circuses.

Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2019 (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Horse Transportation Safety Act would ban the transportation of horses in double-deck trailers.

The PAW and FIN Act of 2019 (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The PAW and FIN Act reverses regulations recently enacted to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Would permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States as well as prohibit the export of horses for slaughter in other countries.
How We Work
Related
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Animal Legal Defense Fund Expands Grants for Animal Law Courses
The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced the expansion of its Animal Law Course Grant Program to allow accredited law schools to apply for $5,000 grants to fund new introductory and advanced animal law courses, or existing courses that are in danger of being cancelled due to budget cuts.March 1, 2021 Press Release -
Court Allows Lawsuit Against FDA to Proceed
The United States District Court for the Northern District of California ruled in favor of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and its co-plaintiffs, denying an attempt by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to dismiss a lawsuit against the agency.February 23, 2021 Press Release -
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program Bill Passes New Jersey Senate
A Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) bill, S.2868/A.4533, which would allow law students and volunteer lawyers to advocate for animal victims in cruelty criminal cases, unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate. The bill is sponsored by Senator Nicholas Scutari and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and endorsed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.February 19, 2021 Press Release