Bill > SF4009

This bill prohibits research facilities in Minnesota from conducting animal research, teaching, surgery, experiments, studies, or tests that are reportable to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on specific forms (APHIS Form 7023, Column E, or APHIS Form 7023B) under federal law, unless the activity is required by federal law or regulation, or if the facility is a federal research facility. A research facility is defined by federal law as an institution that uses live animals in research. The bill also establishes civil penalties, requiring a testing or research facility that violates this prohibition to pay a $10,000 administrative penalty for each animal involved in the violation, and allows courts to order defendants to reimburse the state for litigation expenses if the violation is proven to be willful, considering the defendant's economic circumstances.