# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 6100

This bill strengthens the government's ability to enforce animal welfare rules by giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) more power to inspect facilities, document violations, and punish those who mistreat animals. Right now, the Animal Welfare Act sets standards for how animals must be treated at places like research labs, zoos, pet dealers, and animal auctions, but enforcement has been inconsistent. This bill makes it much harder for violators to escape consequences.

The main changes give inspectors clearer authority to document every problem they find, from inadequate food and water to improper housing conditions. If an inspector discovers an animal suffering because of these violations, they can immediately confiscate that animal to prevent further harm. The bill also requires inspectors to share their findings with local police and animal control within 24 hours, opening the door for additional criminal investigations. Currently, violations might only result in warnings or small fines, but this bill increases civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with each day a violation continues counting as a separate offense. This means a facility with ongoing problems could face much steeper financial consequences.

The bill also changes how violations are handled by requiring hearings to include a veterinarian and animal care specialists, and these hearings must happen within 21 days. This makes the process faster and ensures people with actual animal expertise are involved in decisions. Additionally, the bill prevents facilities from destroying animals once an inspector has notified them of intent to confiscate, closing a loophole that allowed some operators to eliminate evidence. For people who work in animal welfare or own facilities regulated under this law, this means significantly stricter oversight and higher stakes for non-compliance.

To amend the Animal Welfare Act to increase enforcement with respect to violations of that Act, and for other purposes.

Axne, Cynthia

 <p>This bill revises enforcement provisions under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including by directing inspectors to confiscate or destroy in a humane manner animals found to be suffering physical or psychological harm as a result of failure to comply with the AWA.</p>