S 503 — Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act

Summary

Animal Welfare Accountability and Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to maintain and publicly disclose records relating to the administration of the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act, including specified details regarding inspections, enforcement actions, regulations, registrations, and licenses under the two laws. Within 90 days of the enactment of this bill, USDA must make the records available to the public in an online searchable database in a machine-readable format on its website. The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a taxpayer who has been convicted or assessed civil penalties for violating certain provisions of the Animal Welfare Act or the Horse Protection Act to use the alternative depreciation system that increases the number of years over which property is depreciated. The taxpayer must use the system for any property placed in service during the five-year period beginning with the year in which the period for seeking judicial review of a civil penalty has lapsed or in which there has been a final judgment entered with respect to the violation, whichever is earlier.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 02, 2017

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill mandates public availability of certain regulatory records related to the Animal Welfare Act and introduces tax provisions for violators of animal protection rules.

• 7 U.S.C. § 2143

  the entirety of each annual report submitted by a research facility under section 13 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2143);

  This provision adds a requirement for public access to annual reports from research facilities under the Animal Welfare Act.

• 7 U.S.C. § 2133

  the name, address, and license or registration number of each research facility, exhibitor, dealer, and other person or establishment-- (i) licensed by the Secretary under section 3 or 12 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2133, 2142); or (ii) registered with the Secretary under section 6 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2136);

  This provision mandates disclosure of details for individuals and organizations regulated under the Animal Welfare Act.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1823

  the name and address of-- (A) any person that is licensed to conduct any inspection under section 4(c) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 1823(c)); or (B) any organization or association that is licensed by the Department of Agriculture to promote horses through-- (i) the showing, exhibiting, sale, auction, or registry of horses; or (ii) the conduct of any activity that contributes to the advancement of horses.

  This addition requires public disclosure of licensed individuals and organizations related to the Horse Protection Act.

• 7 U.S.C. § 2149

  (F) any property placed in service by a disqualified taxpayer during an applicable period.

  This creates a provision in the tax code that imposes restrictions on certain properties placed in service by those penalized under animal welfare laws.

• 7 U.S.C. § 2149

  disqualified taxpayer means any taxpayer if such taxpayer has been assessed a civil penalty under section 19(b) of the Animal Welfare Act or section 6(b) of the Horse Protection Act and either the period for seeking judicial review of the final agency action has lapsed or there has been a final judgment with respect to an appeal of such assessment.

  This defines 'disqualified taxpayer' in a way that flags those who have violated animal welfare laws for tax consequences.

Action History

1. March 02, 2017

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 02, 2017

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1580; text of measure as introduced: CR S1580-1581)

Sponsors

• Robert Menendez · Cosponsor
• Cory A. Booker · Cosponsor
• Maria Cantwell · Cosponsor
• Richard Blumenthal · Cosponsor
• Gary C. Peters · Cosponsor
• Kirsten E. Gillibrand · Cosponsor
• Margaret Wood Hassan · Cosponsor
• Tammy Baldwin · Cosponsor
• Jeanne Shaheen · Cosponsor
• Ron Wyden · Primary

Subjects