To find out the status of these or any other bills, contact the congressional bill status line at (202) 225-1772. This information is also available on the World Wide Web at http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d107query.html (107th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d106query.html (106th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d105query.html (105th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d104query.html (104th Congress).
| Animal Welfare Bills from the 106th Congress that Became Law | ||||||||||
| H.R. 1791 | H.R. 1887 | H.R. 2903 | H.R. 3514 | H.R. 4281 | H.R. 4320 | H.R. 5314 | H.R. 5461 | S. 148 | ||
| Bill and Summary Status for the 107th Congress | ||||||||||
| H.R. 231 | H.R. 397 | H.R. 643 | H.R. 645 | H.R. 700 | H.R. 702 | H.R. 880 | H.R. 1187 | |||
| H.R. 1421 | H.R. 1796 | H.R. 2216 | H.R. 2622 | H.CON.RES. 180 | S. 345 | S. 534 | ||||
| S. 668 | S. 700 | S. 736 | S. 909 | S. 1125 | S. RES. 70 | S. CON. RES. 45 | ||||
Became Public Law No: 106-254.
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for harming animals used in Federal law enforcement.
Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act of 1999 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit, and set penalties for, willfully and maliciously harming a police animal or attempting or conspiring to do so.
Includes among such penalties a 10-year maximum term of imprisonment if the offense permanently disables or disfigures, or causes serious bodily injury to or the death of, the animal. (Defines a “police animal” as a dog or horse employed by a Federal agency for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of criminal offenders.)
Became Public Law No: 106-152.
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to punish the depiction of animal cruelty.
Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit, and set penalties for, knowingly creating, selling, or possessing a depiction of animal cruelty with the intention of placing that depiction in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain. Makes an exception for any depiction that has serious religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.
Became Public Law No: 106-555.
Title: To assist in the conservation of coral reefs.
Title I: Atlantic Coastal Fisheries - Subtitle A: Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation - Amends the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act to extend the authorization of appropriations to carry out such Act through FY 2003.
(Sec. 102) Requires the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to: (1) conduct a study to determine if the distribution of year classes in the Atlantic striped bass population is appropriate for maintaining adequate recruitment and sustainable fishing opportunities; and (2) report results to specified congressional committees along with a long-term plan to ensure a balanced and healthy population structure of Atlantic striped bass. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle B: Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management - Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Act of 2000 - Amends the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act to extend the authorization of appropriations to carry out such Act through FY 2005. Authorizes amounts to be used to support the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s cooperative statistics program.
Title II: John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program - Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of 2000 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program to provide assistance to eligible stranding network participants for: (1) marine mammal recovery and treatment; (2) data collection from living or dead marine mammals; and (3) facilities operation. Caps grants at $100,000. Requires a 25 percent non-Federal matching amount, which may be in-kind contributions. Authorizes FY 2001 through 2003 appropriations.
(Sec. 203) Requires the Secretary to study environmental and biological factors responsible for the significant increase in mortality events of the eastern gray whale population and other potential impacts these factors may be having on such population. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to convey a retired National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fishery research vessel to the Government of American Samoa.
(Sec. 205) Amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to revise sanctuary designation standards.
(Sec. 206) Amends the Sustainable Fisheries Act to authorize appropriations for each fiscal year for grants to carry out Western Pacific fishery demonstration projects to promote traditional indigenous fishing practices.
Became Public Law No: 106-551.
Title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a system of sanctuaries for chimpanzees that have been designated as being no longer needed in research conducted or supported by the Public Health Service, and for other purposes.
Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act - Amends title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for the establishment and operation of a national sanctuary system for all surplus federally owned chimpanzees that are no longer needed in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, or other Federal agencies. Allows any chimpanzee that is not owned by the Federal Government to be accepted into the system if the owner transfers title to the chimpanzee to the sanctuary system. Provides for standards for permanent retirement of chimpanzees into the system, including prohibiting using sanctuary chimpanzees for research except in specified circumstances. Requires such standards to empower the Secretary to authorize imposition of a fee (except in certain circumstances) for accepting a non-Federal chimpanzee into the system. Directs the Secretary to contract with a nonprofit private entity to establish and operate the system. Provides for funding. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for the operation of facilities that provide for the retirement of chimpanzees in accordance with the same standards that apply to the sanctuary system.
Became Public Law No: 106-545.
Title: To establish, wherever feasible, guidelines, recommendations, and regulations that promote the regulatory acceptance of new and revised toxicological tests that protect human and animal health and the environment while reducing, refining, or replacing animal tests and ensuring human safety and product effectiveness.
ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 - Defines “alternative test method” as a test method that reduces the number of animals required, refines procedures to lessen or eliminate pain or distress to animals, enhances animal well-being, or replaces animals with non-animal systems or one animal species with a lower animal species, such as replacing a mammal with an invertebrate.
(Sec. 3) Makes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) a permanent interagency coordinating committee of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Sets forth ICCVAM objectives, including: (1) increasing the efficiency of Federal test method review; and (2) reducing animal testing where feasible. Directs the Institute to establish a Scientific Advisory Committee. Sets forth ICCVAM duties.
(Sec. 4) Requires each Federal agency to: (1) identify and forward to ICCVAM any test method specified in a regulation or guideline that requires or recommends animal testing; (2) promote valid alternative test methods if the alternatives are effective for generating data (in an amount and of a scientific value that is at least equivalent to the data generated from existing tests) for hazard identification, dose-response assessment, or risk assessment; and (3) adopt ICCVAM recommendations unless the agency finds that the recommendations are inadequate or unsatisfactory.
(Sec. 5) Makes this Act inapplicable to research related to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, or prevention of physical or mental diseases or impairments of humans or animals.
Became Public Law No: 106-411.
Title: To assist in the conservation of great apes by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of countries within the range of great apes and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of great apes.
Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance for projects for the conservation of great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans), using amounts in a Great Ape Conservation Fund established by this Act.
Allows a project proposal to be submitted by: (1) any wildlife management authority of a country that has within its boundaries any part of the range of a great ape if such authority’s activities affect a great ape population; (2) the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Secretariat; or (3) any person or group with the demonstrated expertise required for the conservation of such apes.
Sets forth project proposal requirements, including for review and approval, and reporting. Prohibits the use of grant amounts for captive breeding of such apes other than for captive breeding for release into the wild. Authorizes appropriations.
Became Public Law No: 106-446.
Title: To require the immediate termination of the Department of Defense practice of euthanizing military working dogs at the end of their useful working life and to facilitate the adoption of retired military working dogs by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other persons capable of caring for these dogs.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make a military working dog available for adoption by law enforcement agencies, former handlers, and other persons capable of humanely caring for such dogs at the end of such dog’s useful working life or when the dog is otherwise excess to the needs of the Department of Defense. Requires the commander of the last unit to which the dog is assigned to make the decision whether a particular dog is suitable or unsuitable for adoption. Holds harmless the United States from: (1) any damages or injury caused by a dog after such transfer; or (2) any veterinary expense associated with a medical condition of a working dog before the transfer, whether or not such condition is known at the time. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress concerning dogs adopted, waiting for adoption, or euthanized during the preceding year (with an explanation in the case of euthanization).
Became Public Law No: 106-557.
Title: To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to eliminate the wasteful and unsportsmanlike practice of shark finning.
Shark Finning Prohibition Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to make it unlawful to: (1) remove any of the fins of a shark, including the tail, and discard the carcass of the shark at sea; (2) have control or possession of such a fin aboard a fishing vessel without the corresponding carcass; or (3) land such a fin without the corresponding carcass.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) initiate international negotiations for the prohibition of shark-finning; (2) submit to Congress a list of nations whose vessels conduct shark- finning, set forth a plan of action for the international conservation of sharks, and include recommendations for U.S. compliance with national, international, and regional obligations relating to shark populations; and (3) establish a research program for Pacific and Atlantic sharks.
Directs the National Marine Fisheries Service to initiate a western Pacific longline fisheries cooperative research program.
Authorizes appropriations.
Became Public Law No: 106-247.
Title: A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide assistance in the conservation of neotropical migratory birds.
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to provide financial assistance for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds. Authorizes project proposals to be submitted by the following entities: (1) individuals or other private entities; (2) Federal, State, or local government entities or foreign government entities; (3) other entities subject to U.S. or foreign jurisdiction; and (4) international organizations.
Limits the Federal share of project costs to 33 percent. Authorizes the Secretary to convene an advisory group of individuals representing organizations involved in neotropical migratory bird conservation to assist in carrying out this Act.
Establishes in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund of the Treasury a Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Account. Authorizes appropriations to the Account for FY 2000 through 2003 to carry out this Act.
Introduced on January 6, 2001, by Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. On March 23, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.
This bill amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to redefine “poultry grower” as any person engaged in the business of raising or caring for live poultry under a poultry growing arrangement, whether the poultry is owned by such person or by another person. (It also eliminates the poultry slaughter provision from such definition.) It extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; (2) injunctive or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care; and (3) the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority to issue a complaint against a live poultry dealer to any violation of such Act.
Introduced on February 6, 2001, by Elton Gallegly (R-California) and referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on International Relations, and Ways and Means. This act may be cited as the “Bear Protection Act of 2001.” Related bill - S. 1125
This act prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and with other representatives of countries that are not party to the Convention which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears.
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect State regulation of bear population or to affect the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
Introduced on February 14, 2001, by Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland) and passed by the House on June 12. On June 13, it was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. This Act may be cited as the “African Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001.”
This bill reauthorizes the “African Elephant Conservation Act “ for the years 2001 through 2007 and limits administrative expenses to not more than 6 percent of appropriations to carry out the act, or $80,000, whichever is less. In addition, Section 2305(4) (16 U.S.C. 4244(4)) is amended by striking “the African Elephant Conservation Fund established by section 2102" and inserting “the account established by division A, section 101(e), title I of Public Law 105-277 under the heading ‘MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND’.”
Introduced on February 14, 2001, by Wayne Gilchrest and passed by the House on June 25. On June 26, it was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. This act may be cited as the “Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001.”
This bill reauthorizes the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 for the years 2001 through 2007 and limits administrative expenses to not more than 6 percent of appropriations to carry out the act, or $80,000, whichever is less. In addition, Section 4(3) (16 U.S.C. 5303(3)) is amended by striking “Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund established under section 6(a)” and inserting “the account established by division A, section 101(e), title I of Public Law 105-277 under the heading ‘MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND’.”
Introduced on February 14, 2001, by Jim Saxton (R-New Jersey) and passed by the House on June 12. On June 13 it was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. This act may be cited as the “Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001.”
This bill reauthorizes the “Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997” for the years 2001 through 2007 and limits administrative expenses to not more than 6 percent of appropriations to carry out the act, or $80,000, whichever is less. In addition, Section 4(3) (16 U.S.C. 4263(3)) is amended by striking ‘Asian Elephant Conservation Fund established under section 6’ and inserting ‘the account established by division A, section 101(e), title I of Public Law 105-277’ under the heading “MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND.”
Introduced on February 14, 2001, by Jim Saxton (R-New Jersey) and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Resources. On February 15, it was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. On February 26, it was referred to the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans and executive comment was requested from the Secretary of Commerce. This act may be cited as the “Personal Watercraft Responsible Use Act of 2001.”
The purposes and policies of this Act are the following: (1) To ensure the safe and responsible use of personal watercraft in the Nation’s waterways. (2) To protect sensitive shallow water habitat that is important for many fish and wildlife species. (3) To reduce conflicts among recreational boaters by providing a forum for collaborative management efforts to develop innovative boating regulations for overcrowded waterways. (4) To provide Federal assistance to States to improve the enforcement of recreational boating laws.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to withhold up to ten percent of grants made to a coastal State for development and administration of a management program for the land and water resources of its coastal zone in each fiscal year unless such State implements certain enforceable policies prohibiting a person from operating a personal watercraft in excess of no-wake speed in its coastal waters. Requires a coastal State’s management program to include provisions that designate sensitive areas of its coast with respect to the enforcement of such policies in such areas.
Enforceable policies required under this section shall prohibit a person from operating a personal watercraft in excess of no-wake speed in any of the following areas or manner: (1) In any area designated as a sensitive area in the management program of the coastal State under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.). (2) In waters closer than 200 feet from the shoreline. (3) In a designated right-of-way or navigation channel. (4) In a manner that injures, harasses, or disturbs wading, roosting, or nesting birds or marine mammals.
The management program of a coastal state shall include provisions that designate sensitive areas of the coastal state. The criteria shall include a consideration of the following: (A) The presence of unique or valuable aquatic habitat and communities. (B) The presence of aquatic vegetation, nesting birds, shellfish beds, or marine mammals. (C) The importance of an area for other recreational and commercial users.
Introduced March 6, 2001, by James V. Hansen (R-Utah) and passed by the House on March 13. It was sent to the Senate on March 14 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. On May 15, Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management hearings held.
Provides for Federal acquisition of: (1) certain real property owned by the Environmental Land Technology, Ltd. (ELT), within the Red Cliffs Reserve in Washington County, Utah; and (2) certain ELT land adjacent to the land within the Reserve but landlocked as a result of the Reserve’s creation. Provides for just compensation to owners of real property taken pursuant to this Act.
Introduced on March 22, 2001, by Nita Lowey (D-New York) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, International Relations, and the Judiciary. On April 19, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
It is the policy of the United States to end the needless maiming and suffering inflicted upon animals through the use of steel-jawed leghold traps by prohibiting the import or export of, and the shipment in interstate commerce of, such traps and of articles of fur from animals that were trapped in such traps.
Introduced on April 4, 2001, by Gary L. Ackerman, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. On April 23, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture. This act may be cited as “The Downed Animal Protection Act.”
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to make it unlawful for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any nonambulatory livestock unless such livestock has been humanely euthanized. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Introduced on May 10, 2001, by Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
“SEC. 2. CHARITABLE REMAINDER PET TRUSTS.
(a) CHARITABLE REMAINDER PET TRUST DEFINED- Section 664(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (5) CHARITABLE REMAINDER PET TRUST- For purposes of this section, a charitable remainder pet trust is a trust—(A) from which a sum certain is to be paid, not less often than annually, for the exclusive benefit of one or more pets (as defined in paragraph (6)) for a term of years (not in excess of 20 years) or for the life or lives of such pet or pets, (B) from which no amount other than the payments described in subparagraph (A) and the taxes imposed pursuant to subsection (c) may be paid to or for the use of any person other than an organization described in section 170(c), (C) following the termination of the payments described in subparagraph (A), the remainder interest in the trust is to be transferred to, or for the use of, an organization described in section 170(c), and (D) the value (determined under section 7520) of such remainder interest is at least 10 percent of the initial fair market value of all property placed in the trust. (6) PET- For purposes of a charitable remainder pet trust, a pet is any domesticated companion animal (including a domesticated companion cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, ferret, mouse, rat, bird, fish, reptile, or horse) which is living, and owned or cared for by the taxpayer establishing the trust, at the time of the creation of the trust.
(b) TAX ON ANNUITY DISTRIBUTIONS FROM CHARITABLE REMAINDER PET TRUSTS-Section 664(c) is amended by inserting `, and except, in the case of a charitable remainder pet trust, that any distribution during such year for the benefit of a pet (as defined in subsection (d)) shall be taxable income of the trust for such year, to the extent of the income of the trust for the year and undistributed income of the trust for prior years after applied to such trust).”
Introduced June 19, 2001, by C.W. Bill Young (R-Florida) and became Public Law No: 107-20 on July 24. Related Bills - H.RES.171, H.RES.204, S.1077
For an additional amount for “Office of the Secretary [of Agriculture]”, $3,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2002: Provided, That of these funds, no less than $1,000,000 shall be used for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act: Provided further, That of these funds, no less than $1,000,000 shall be used to enhance humane slaughter practices under the Federal Meat Inspection Act: Provided further, That no more than $500,000 of these funds shall be made available to the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics for development and demonstration of technologies to promote the humane treatment of animals: Provided further, That these funds may be transferred to and merged with appropriations for agencies performing this work.
Introduced July 25, 2001, by Thomas M. Reynolds (R-New York) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. This act may be cited as the “Helping Out to Rescue and Save Equines Act.”
Prohibits the interstate transport of horses (other than downed animals) for the purpose of slaughter or horse flesh for human consumption. Sets forth related inspection, confiscation, and penalty provisions, including rescue facility grants.
Introduced June 28, 2001, by William D. Delahunt (D-Massachusetts) and referred to House Committee on International Relations.
Reaffirms the U.S. commitment to opposing any commercial and lethal scientific whaling and to supporting the expansion of whale sanctuaries. Calls for: (1) the President to use all available diplomatic channels to convey U.S. opposition to commercial whaling activities and lethal scientific whaling and to consider actions, including bilateral negotiations and sanctions, to eliminate such whaling and to prevent any trade in whale meat; and (2) the United States to strongly oppose any effort at the 53rd meeting of the International Whaling Commission in London to approve the resumption of commercial whaling and all efforts at the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to downlist any threatened or endangered whale population and to reopen international trade in whale meat.
Introduced on February 15, 2001, by Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Related bill - H.R. 1155. On May 15, executive comment was requested from USDA by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.
This act amends the Animal Welfare Act to eliminate the provision permitting interstate movement of live fighting birds if the fighting venture is to take place in a State allowing such fights. This amendment takes effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this legislation.
Introduced March 14, 2001, by Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. This Act may be cited as the “Mad Cow Prevention Act of 2001.” Related bill-S. 700
This bill “establishe[s] a Federal interagency task force, to be chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture, for the purpose of coordinating actions to prevent the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (commonly known as “mad cow disease”), foot-and mouth disease, and related diseases in the United States.” The membership of the task force shall be composed of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, and Treasury; the Commissioner of Food and Drug; the Director of the National Institutes of Health; the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Commissioner of Customs; and the heads of such other Federal departments and agencies as the President considers appropriate.
“Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the task force shall submit to Congress a report that—(1) describes actions that are being taken, and will be taken, to prevent the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease and related diseases in the United States; and (2) contains any recommendations for legislative and regulatory actions that should be taken to prevent the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease and related diseases in the United States.”
Introduced on March 30, 2001, by Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. This Act may be cited as the “Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2001.” See sidebar for bill details and remarks by Mr. Akaka (page 26 in this bulletin).
Introduced on April 4, 2001, by Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado). On May 24, it became Public Law No: 107-9. This act may be cited as the “Animal Disease Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Control Act of 2001.”
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a preliminary report to specified congressional committees concerning: (1) interagency measures to assess, prevent, and control the spread of foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) in the United States; (2) related Federal information sources available to the public; and (3)the need for any additional legislative authority or product bans.
Directs the Secretary, in consultation with governmental and private sector parties, to submit a final report to such committees that discusses such diseases’ economic impacts, public and animal health risks, and related legislative, Federal agency, and product recommendations.
Introduced on April 6, 2001, Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
SECTION 1. VETERINARY CORPS OF THE ARMY.
(a) COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION- (1) Chapter 307 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3070 the following new section 3071:
Sec. 3071. Veterinary Corps: composition; Chief and assistant chief; appointment; grade
(a) COMPOSITION- The Veterinary Corps consists of the Chief and assistant chief of that corps and other officers in grades prescribed by the Secretary of the Army. (b) CHIEF- The Secretary of the Army shall appoint the Chief from the officers of the Regular Army in that corps whose regular grade is above lieutenant colonel and who are recommended by the Surgeon General. An appointee who holds a lower regular grade shall be appointed in the regular grade of brigadier general. The Chief serves during the pleasure of the Secretary, but not for more than four years, and may not be reappointed to the same position. (c) ASSISTANT CHIEF- The Surgeon General shall appoint the assistant chief from the officers of the Regular Army in that corps whose regular grade is above lieutenant colonel. The assistant chief serves during the pleasure of the Surgeon General, but not for more than four years and may not be reappointed to the same position.’
Introduced on May 17, 2001, by Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any migratory bird management carried out by the Secretary shall be exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (including regulations). An agent, officer, or employee of the Service that carries out any activity relating to migratory bird management may, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.)—(1) issue a depredation permit to a stakeholder or cooperator of the Service; and (2) manage and take migratory birds.
Introduced on June 28, 2001, by Mitch McConnell and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. This act may be cited as “Bear Protection Act of 2001.”
Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and with other representatives of countries that are not party to CITES which are determined to be the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products, in order to establish coordinated efforts with such countries to protect bears.
Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect State regulation of bear populations or the lawful hunting of bears under State law.
Introduced on April 6, 2001, by Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) and agreed to by the Senate on April 6. Related bills - H. Con. Res.103, S. Con. Res. 32
Whereas April 10, 2001, is the 135th anniversary of the founding of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (`ASPCA’);
Whereas ASPCA has provided services to millions of people and their animals since its establishment in 1866 in New York City by Henry Bergh;
Whereas ASPCA was the first humane society established in the western hemisphere;
Whereas ASPCA teaches children the character-building virtues of compassion, kindness, and respect for all God’s creatures;
Whereas the dedicated directors, staff, and volunteers of ASPCA have provided shelter, medical care, behavioral counseling, and placement for abandoned, abused, or homeless animals in the United States for more than a century; and
Whereas ASPCA, through its observance of April as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and its promotion of humane animal treatment through programs on law enforcement, education, shelter outreach, poison control, legislative affairs, counseling, veterinary services, and behavioral training, has provided invaluable services to the people of the United States and their animals: Now, therefore, be it Resolved,
SECTION 1. HONORING THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Senate honors The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for its 135 years of service to the people of the United States and their animals. (b) TRANSMITTAL- The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this concurrent resolution to the president of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Introduced on June 5, 2001, by Peter Fitzgerald (R-Illinois) and agreed to in the Senate on July 31. On August 1, it was received in the House and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. Related bill - H. Con Res.175
Whereas public demand for passage of Public Law 85-765 (commonly known as the “Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958”) (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) was so great that when President Eisenhower was asked at a press conference if he would sign the bill, he replied, “If I went by mail, I’d think no one was interested in anything but humane slaughter.”
Whereas the Act requires that animals be rendered insensible to pain when they are slaughtered;
Whereas on April 10, 2001, a Washington Post front page article reported that enforcement records, interviews, videos, and worker affidavits describe repeated violations of the Act and that the Federal Government took no action against a company that was cited 22 times in 1998 for violations of the Act;
Whereas the article asserted that in 1998, the Secretary of Agriculture stopped tracking the number of humane-slaughter violations;
Whereas the article concluded that scientific evidence shows tangible economic benefits when animals are treated well;
Whereas the United States Animal Health Association passed a resolution at an October 1998 meeting to encourage strong enforcement of the Act and reiterated support for the resolution at a meeting in 2000; and
Whereas it is the responsibility of the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce Act fully: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
SECTION 1. HUMANE METHODS OF ANIMAL SLAUGHTER.
It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Secretary of Agriculture should—(A) resume tracking the number of violations of Public Law 85-765 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) and report the results and relevant trends annually to Congress; and (B) fully enforce Public Law 85-765 by ensuring that humane methods in the slaughter of livestock—(i) prevent needless suffering; (ii) result in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the slaughtering of livestock; (iii) bring about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering operations; and (iv) produce other benefits for producers, processors, and consumers that tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce; and (2) it should be the policy of the United States that the slaughtering of livestock and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter shall be carried out only by humane methods.
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