,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ahjb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #c1 #bjbe,ms4 ,malliotakis 7for herself and ,mr4 ,bean of ,florida7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce1 ,agriculture1 and ,rules1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to prohibit the use of animals in federally funded research1 promote the adoption of humane and scientifically advanced alternatives1 and ensure the ethical rehoming of retired research animals1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,safeguard ,pets1 ,animals1 and ,research ,ethics ,act or the ,,spare ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,tens of millions of animals are used annually in federally funded research1 including dogs1 cats1 rabbits1 primates1 and other species4 7#b7 ,many of these animals cost thousands of tax dollars each1 burdening taxpayers with billions of dollars annually in inefficient and unnecessary research costs4 7#c7 ,modern non-animal research alternatives1 such as human-cell-based models1 artificial intelligence1 and organ-on-chip technology1 provide more reliable and ethical research methods4 7#d7 ,the continued use of animals in federally funded research contradicts existing ,three ,rs 7,reduce1 ,refine1 ,replace7 policy goals aimed at reducing reliance on animal models4 7#e7 ,many animals used in federally funded research are viable for adoption or sanctuary placement upon the cessation of experiments4 #c4 ,prohibition on certain research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal 7a7 ,in general ,except as otherwise provided in this section1 a ,federal department1 ,federal agency1 ,federal contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee may not authorize1 obligate or expend funds for1 or otherwise engage in research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal4 7b7 ,sanctions and penalties 7#a7 ,civil penalty ,a ,federal contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee that violates subsection 7a7 or subsection 7f77#a7 shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of not more than #bej1jjj4 7#b7 ,sanctions 7,a7 ,federal departments and agencies ,if the ,secretary of ,agriculture or the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health determines that a ,federal department or agency has violated subsection 7a7 or subsection 7f77#a71 such department or agency shall implement a plan1 which may include a reporting requirement1 prescribed by such ,secretary or ,director1 as the case may be1 to correct the violation4 7,b7 ,federal contractors1 subcontractors1 and grantees ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 if the ,secretary of ,agriculture or the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health determines1 after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing1 that a ,federal contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee has violated subsection 7a7 or subsection 7f77#a71 such contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee may be prohibited from receiving1 for a period of time specified by such ,secretary or ,director1 as the case may be1 a ,federal grant for research1 testing1 and experimentation4 7c7 ,delayed application 7#a7 ,eighteen months ,with respect to research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal and relates to cosmetic testing1 toxicity testing1 or basic psychological or behavioral experimenting1 subsection 7a7 shall not apply until #ah months after the date of the enactment of this section4 7#b7 ,three years ,with respect to research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal and relates to biomedical experimenting or drug testing1 subsection 7a7 shall not apply until three years after the date of the enactment of this section4 7d7 ,exceptions 7#a7 ,certain veterinary research or animals ,subsection 7a7 shall not apply to research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal and relates to any of the following3 7,a7 ,clinical veterinary research4 7,b7 ,a physical exam1 training program1 or study relating to a military animal or service animal4 7#b7 ,congressional authorization ,a ,federal department1 ,federal agency1 ,federal contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee may authorize1 obligate or expend funds for1 or otherwise engage in research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal if the following requirements are satisfied3 7,a7 ,the head of such department1 agency1 contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee submits to ,congress an application that states the following3 7i7 ,such research1 testing1 and experimentation would relate to an infectious disease or national security4 7ii7 ,such research1 testing1 and experimentation would utilize such animal sparingly4 7iii7 ,such head has determined that an alternative does not exist for such research1 testing1 and experimentation4 7,b7 ,after ,congress receives the application described in subparagraph 7,a71 ,congress enacts a joint resolution that authorizes such research1 testing1 and experimentation for a period of not more than one year4 7e7 ,federal ,research ,modernization ,fund 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,research ,modernization ,fund 7in this subsection referred to as the ,fund7 is established in the ,national ,science ,foundation4 7#b7 ,functions ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 through the ,fund1 shall carry out the following3 7,a7 ,establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to transition research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal to research1 testing1 and experimentation that does not utilize an animal1 and not less than one grant under such program shall be awarded to a non-profit rescue or rehabilitation organization4 7,b7 ,for ,federal contractors engaging in research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal1 offer training to such contractors to transition such research1 testing1 and experimentation to research1 testing1 and experimentation that does not utilize an animal4 7,c7 ,establish a program to facilitate collaboration between entities to expedite any transition of research1 testing1 and experimentation that utilizes an animal to research1 testing1 and experimentation that does not utilize an animal4 7,d7 ,establish a program to support the validation and standardization of research1 testing1 and experimentation that does not utilize an animal4 7f7 ,animal release program 7#a7 ,in general ,any federally funded research facility that has utilized an animal for research1 testing1 and experimentation prohibited under this section shall carry out the following3 7,a7 ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section1 establish a program to release each such animal to any of the following3 7i7 ,an animal rescue organization4 7ii7 ,an accredited sanctuary4 7iii7 ,a licensed animal shelter4 7iv7 ,an individual eligible to receive such animal4 7,b7 ,in carrying out the program described in subparagraph 7,a71 consult with an accredited sanctuary or a specialist in animal behavioral rehabilitation4 7,c7 ,before releasing such animal pursuant to such subparagraph1 receive from a licensed veterinarian a certification that states such animal is suitable for release4 7,d7 ,not later than #af months after the date of the enactment of this section and quarterly thereafter1 submit to the ,animal and ,plant ,health ,inspection ,service of the ,department of ,agriculture and the ,office of ,laboratory ,animal ,welfare of the ,national ,institutes of ,health information relating to the number of animals released pursuant to such subparagraph4 7#b7 ,public database ,not later than #bj months after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture and the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health shall jointly develop1 maintain not less than quarterly1 and make publicly available a database on each animal released pursuant such program4 7g7 ,audits ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states1 in consultation with the personnel of the ,animal and ,plant ,health ,inspection ,service of the ,department of ,agriculture and the ,office of ,laboratory ,animal ,welfare of the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 shall carry out the following3 7#a7 ,audit each ,federal department1 ,federal agency1 ,federal contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee for compliance with this section4 7#b7 ,submit a report to ,congress on the compliance of each such department1 agency1 contractor1 subcontractor1 or grantee with this section4 7h7 ,congressional hearings ,not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter1 each ,house of ,congress shall hold a hearing on the annual report submitted under subsection 7g74 7i7 ,conflict ,if a conflict exists between the ,animal ,welfare ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #baca et seq471 or the ,federal ,food1 ,drug1 and ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #cja et seq471 and this section1 this section shall apply4 7j7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,accredited sanctuary ,the term accredited sanctuary means a facility or organization that satisfies the following requirements3 7,a7 ,provides lifetime care and shelter to animals4 7,b7 ,maintains animals in a protective environment without engaging in breeding1 commercial trade1 or for-profit public exhibition4 7,c7 ,possesses an accreditation by a nationally recognized accrediting body1 such as the ,global ,federation of ,animal ,sanctuaries1 or another entity designated by the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7,d7 ,adheres to standards of animal care1 including adequate housing1 nutrition1 and veterinary attention1 verified through periodic reviews conducted as a condition of such accreditation4 7#b7 ,animal ,the term animal means a living or dead dog1 cat1 non-human primate1 guinea pig1 hamster1 rabbit1 or other warm-blooded animal that the ,secretary of ,agriculture designates as being used1 or intended to be used1 for research1 testing1 and experimentation1 exhibition1 or as a pet4 7#c7 ,animal rescue organization ,the term animal rescue organization means an organization that satisfies the following requirements3 7,a7 ,is described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code4 7,b7 ,is primarily dedicated to the rescue1 rehabilitation1 and placement of animals into adoptive homes or other suitable environments1 including with respect to the following3 7i7 ,taking custody of such animals from research facilities1 shelters1 or other sources4 7ii7 ,providing necessary care1 including veterinary treatment and socialization1 to such animals4 7iii7 ,facilitating the adoption or transfer of such animals to permanent placements4 7iv7 ,maintaining records of the intake1 care1 and disposition of such animals4 7,c7 ,does not engage in the commercial sale or trade of animals4 7#d7 ,clinical veterinary research ,the term clinical veterinary research means research on a dog or cat with a naturally occurring disease or injury that is conducted-- 7,a7 for the benefit of the dog or cat2 and 7,b7 with the intention of studying the effect of a procedure1 device1 or treatment protocol4 7#e7 ,grantee ,the term grantee means an entity that receives ,federal research funds under a grant agreement with a ,federal department or agency4 7#f7 ,licensed animal shelter ,the term licensed animal shelter means a facility that satisfies the following requirements3 7,a7 ,is operated by or under contract with a ,state or local government1 a duly incorporated humane society1 or an organization described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code4 7,b7 ,is licensed or registered under any applicable law to impound1 harbor1 or care for stray1 abandoned1 or surrendered animals1 including animals released from research facilities4 7,c7 ,provides humane care and treatment to such animals4 7,d7 ,facilitates the adoption or transfer of such animals to suitable placements4 7#g7 ,military animal ,the term military animal has the meaning given the term in section #behc of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#h7 ,research1 testing1 and experimentation ,the term research1 testing1 and experimentation includes any of the following3 7,a7 ,basic research4 7,b7 ,behavioral research4 7,c7 ,infectious disease research4 7,d7 ,drug and device development and testing4 7,e7 ,cosmetic development and testing4 7,f7 ,chemical development and testing4 7,g7 ,biomedical training4 7#i7 ,service animal ,the term service animal has the meaning given the term in section #cg4c of title #di1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7#aj7 ,subcontractor ,the term subcontractor means an entity that performs work under a subcontract funded by a ,federal research grant or another ,federal contract4