summary
Introduced
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
In Committee
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To establish an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division to address the significant connection between animal cruelty and other serious criminal activities. The bill recognizes that animal cruelty is often linked to domestic violence, child abuse, gang activity, and drug trafficking, and argues that the lack of a dedicated enforcement unit has resulted in inadequate prosecution of animal-related crimes. The new section will be responsible for enforcing federal animal cruelty laws, conducting investigations, and pursuing prosecutions with specialized knowledge. The section is required to coordinate with various federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to Congress detailing the number of charges filed for animal cruelty violations, broken down by state and law, as well as the number of investigations that did not result in charges. The bill aims to provide a more focused and effective approach to investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty at the federal level, with the broader goal of protecting both animals and society.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (50)
Dave Joyce (R)*,
Buddy Carter (R),
Troy Carter (D),
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D),
Juan Ciscomani (R),
Gil Cisneros (D),
Steve Cohen (D),
Herbert Conaway (D),
Jason Crow (D),
Diana DeGette (D),
Chris Deluzio (D),
Lloyd Doggett (D),
Lois Frankel (D),
Laura Friedman (D),
Andrew Garbarino (R),
Carlos Giménez (R),
Dan Goldman (D),
Josh Gottheimer (D),
Josh Harder (D),
Julie Johnson (D),
Tom Kean (R),
Jen Kiggans (R),
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D),
Mike Lawler (R),
Susie Lee (D),
Ted Lieu (D),
Zoe Lofgren (D),
Seth Magaziner (D),
Michael McCaul (R),
Rob Menendez (D),
Joe Morelle (D),
Joe Neguse (D),
Scott Peters (D),
Andrea Salinas (D),
Hillary Scholten (D),
Jefferson Shreve (R),
Chris Smith (R),
Eric Sorensen (D),
Darren Soto (D),
Haley Stevens (D),
Shri Thanedar (D),
Mike Thompson (D),
Dina Titus (D),
Paul Tonko (D),
David Valadao (R),
Jeff Van Drew (R),
Marc Veasey (D),
Nydia Velázquez (D),
Eugene Vindman (D),
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D),
Last Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (on 02/21/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1477/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr1477/BILLS-119hr1477ih.pdf |
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