H.R. 5650 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5650 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 21, 2023 Mr. Moylan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Animal Welfare Act to repeal the extension of the prohibition on animal fighting to the territories. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as The Senator Jose Pedo Terlaje Honoring Indigenous Traditions and Attributes Act or The Senator Jose Pedo Terlaje HITA Act. 2. Repeal of extension of the prohibition on animal fighting to the territories (a) In general Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking It and inserting Except as provided in paragraph (3), it; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (3) Special rule for certain States With respect to fighting ventures involving live birds in a State where it would not be in violation of the law, it shall be unlawful under this subsection for a person to sponsor or exhibit a bird in the fighting venture only if the person knew that any bird in the fighting venture was knowingly bought, sold, delivered, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of participation in the fighting venture. ; (2) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) as subsection (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j), respectively; and (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Violation of State law Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), the activities prohibited by such subsection shall be unlawful with respect to fighting ventures involving live birds only if the fight is to take place in a State where it would be in violation of the laws thereof. . (b) Use of Postal Service or other interstate instrumentalities Section 26(c) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156(c)) is amended by striking (d) and inserting (e). (c) Criminal penalties Subsection (j) of section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156), as redesignated, is amended by striking (d) and inserting (e). (d) Enforcement of animal fighting prohibitions Section 49(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking (d) and inserting (e).