Legislation
Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals
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The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, 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
Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act (Federal)
H.R.7145/ S.3694
The SWIMS Act (H.R.7145 / S.3694) would end the exploitation and mistreatment of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales held in captivity by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
Mink VIRUS Act (Federal)
H.R. 3783
Congress is considering a ban on mink farming to protect public health and human safety from the risk of disease transmission, including COVID-19 and avian flu, to people and wild mink populations, as well as to address concerns of animal well-being.
Goldie’s Act (Federal)
Amend the AWA to increase USDA enforcement of violations
Named for a golden retriever, Goldie’s Act would amend the AWA to require the USDA enforce strengthened regulations set forth in the proposed bill.
The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products
State Bills
State-level advocacy actions are available for those states in session. Each state has its own legislative schedule, holding sessions on predefined intervals.
Room to Roam Act (California)
A.B. 1889
This bill would help protect California wildlife and prioritize climate resilience by establishing a statewide policy requiring local governments to consider and implement measures to protect and improve wildlife connectivity through land-use planning.
Helping Animal and Human Victims Alike Escape Domestic Violence (Rhode Island)
H.B. 7236/S.B. 2655
This bill updates existing Rhode Island law to help victims of abuse — both human and animal — safely flee abusive situations.
Poison-Free Wildlife Act (California)
A.B. 2552
The Poison-Free Wildlife Act would place a moratorium on some of the most dangerous rodenticides — which cause widespread poisoning of wildlife — with limited exceptions.
Online Companion Animal Sales Restrictions (California)
A.B. 2248
This bill invalidates a contract for the purchase of a dog or cat if the contract requires a nonrefundable deposit and does not identify the original source of the animal, including the name of the breeder.
Humane Pet Store Bill (New Jersey)
S.2511/A.4051
This bill would prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in New Jersey pet shops.
A Bill to Ban the Sale of Fur Products (Hawaii)
An Act Relating to Animal Fur Products (S.B. 682)
This bill would ban the sale of new fur products in Hawaii, reducing the demand driving the fur industry.
Recent Victories
A Bill to Strengthen Cruelty Laws (Oregon)
A bill to strengthen cruelty laws (H.B. 4043)
This bill will both strengthen current cruelty laws and make it a crime to interfere with investigations into animal abuse and neglect.
Octopus Farming Ban (Washington)
H.B. 1153
The bill would prohibit the farming of octopus in the state.
Cosmetics Testing Ban (Washington)
H.B. 1097
This bill would make it unlawful for manufacturers to sell or offer for sale in Washington a cosmetic that was developed or manufactured using cosmetic animal testing conducted or contracted for by the manufacturer or its supplier (with limited exceptions)
Banning Killing Contests (New York)
S.4099/A.2917
Proposed legislation would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
Legislative Program Team
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs -
Alicia Prygoski
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Allison Ludtke
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Jennifer Hauge
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Kathleen Schatzmann
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Stephanie Harris
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
Related News
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Urge Federal Legislators to Support the SWIMS Act!
The Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act would end the exploitation and mistreatment of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales held in captivity by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prohibit the capture, importation, or exportation of these species for public display. -
Pennsylvania: Protect Captive Wild Animals from Dangerous Public Contact!
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a bill, H.B. 1451, that would address a harmful regulatory change adopted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that is currently permitting captive wild animal exhibitors to sell public contact experiences with wild animals. -
Kansas: Urge Lawmakers to Oppose Unconstitutional Ag-Gag
The Kansas legislature is considering a harmful bill, H.B. 2816, that would stop whistleblowers and animal advocates from exposing animal cruelty by criminalizing undercover investigations at animal agriculture facilities such as puppy mills, factory farms, and slaughterhouses.
