Legislation

Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals

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) ​

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)

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.
puppies

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.
White rabbit

The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)

Federal Legislation
Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products

SEE ALL FEDERAL BILLS →

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.

​The Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act (Illinois)

​The Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act (Illinois)

S.B. 3262​
This bill would phase out mink farming in Illinois until it’s fully banned in January 2025.
cows

Oppose: Ag-Gag Bill to Criminalize Undercover Animal Cruelty Investigations (Kansas) 

H.B. 2816
This bill would prohibit anyone from entering or remaining on and knowingly making false statements on an employment application to gain access to animal facilities.
bear

Oppose: An Act Relating to Taking of Bears​ (Florida)​

H.B. 87
This bill would allow Florida residents to shoot black bears if they feel threatened or they feel their property is threatened by the bear.
Oppose: Ag-Gag Bill to Prohibit Photography (Kentucky)

Oppose: Ag-Gag Bill to Prohibit Photography (Kentucky)

S.B. 16
This bill would make it a crime to operate a drone or other photography equipment over a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) — also known as a factory farm — or take any form of photography within a CAFO without the consent of the facility’s owner.
Oppose: Retail Pet Sale Ban Preemption (Indiana)

Oppose: Retail Pet Sale Ban Preemption (Indiana)

H.B. 1412​​
This bill seeks to prohibit municipalities from passing retail pet sale bans, which protect animals from the cruelty of commercial puppy and kitten mills.
beagle

​Transparency in Animal Testing (Missouri)

S.B. 1319​
This bill would allow the public to be informed on the types of animal research activities in Missouri’s publicly funded universities and encourage the universities to reduce the use of animals in research in favor of humane, effective alternatives

SEE ALL STATE BILLS →

Recent Victories

Octopus Farming Ban (Washington)

Octopus Farming Ban (Washington)

H.B. 1153​
The bill would prohibit the farming of octopus in the state.
Banning Killing Contests (New York)

Banning Killing Contests (New York)

S.4099/A.2917
Proposed legislation would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
dog

Providing Shelter to Companion Animals in Disasters (California)

A.B. 781
This bill would require counties in California to designate emergency shelters that can accommodate companion animals.
Expanding Cruelty-Free Testing (California)

Expanding Cruelty-Free Testing (California)

A.B. 357
This bill would prohibit manufacturers and contract testing facilities from testing on animals in California when an appropriate “alternative test method or strategy” exists, or a waiver has been granted by the relevant regulatory agency

SEE ALL VICTORIES →

Legislative Program Team

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