Animal Welfare Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

13 June 1975

Last action

22 April 1976 · President

Status

Public law 94-279.

Summary

Animal Welfare Improvement Act - Extends specified provisions of existing law relating to the care and treatment of animals to cover common carriers, airline terminals, retail pet stores, and intermediate handlers. Designates such provisions as the "Animal Welfare Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to prescribe standards for the humane treatment of animals which prohibit the transportation in commerce of dogs, cats, or other animals under eight weeks of age. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Transportation in establishing and enforcing humane standards for animals in transit. Authorizes the imposition of a civil penalty of $2,000 upon dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, common carriers, and operators of auction sales for each knowing violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

13 June 1975
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
13 June 1975
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
18 December 1975
Floor
Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
Source: Floor
18 December 1975
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended.
Source: Floor
18 December 1975
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, S. Rept. 94-580.
Source: Committee
18 December 1975
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, S. Rept. 94-580.
Source: Committee
19 December 1975
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Agriculture.
Source: IntroReferral
9 February 1976
Floor
Measure called up by special rule in House.
Source: Floor
9 February 1976
Passed
Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 5808.
Source: Floor
9 February 1976
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 5808.
Source: Floor
4 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference scheduled in Senate.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
9 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference scheduled in House.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
29 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 94-976.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
29 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 94-976.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
30 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 94-727.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
30 March 1976
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed: Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 94-727.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
6 April 1976
Vote
House agreed to conference report, roll call #174 (332-31).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
6 April 1976
Vote
Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report, roll call #174 (332-31).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
7 April 1976
Vote
Senate agreed to conference report, roll call #131 (91-0).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
7 April 1976
Vote
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report, roll call #131 (91-0).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
9 April 1976
President
Measure enrolled in Senate.
Source: President
9 April 1976
President
Measure enrolled in House.
Source: President
14 April 1976
Floor
Measure presented to President.
Source: Floor
14 April 1976
President
Measure presented to President.
Source: President
22 April 1976
President
Public law 94-279.
Source: President
22 April 1976
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
22 April 1976
President
Signed by President.
Source: President

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

3 official files

Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 23 April 1976
View Download Open at official source
Conference report filed in House
summary · EN · 29 March 1976
Open at official source
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 13 June 1975
Open at official source

Related records

related to → Animal Welfare Act Amendments

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/senate-bill/1941
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/94/s/1941
us · 94-s-1941 · source updated 14 January 2025