[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6099-S6100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 5072. A bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to establish
additional requirements for dealers, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 5072
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Puppy Protection Act of
2024''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DEALERS.
(a) Humane Treatment of Dogs by Dealers.--Section 13(a) of
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(9) In addition to the requirements under paragraph (2),
the standards described in paragraph (1) shall, with respect
to dealers, include requirements--
``(A) that the dealer provide adequate housing for dogs
that includes--
``(i) completely solid flooring;
``(ii) indoor space sufficient to allow the tallest dog in
an enclosure to stand on his or her hind legs without
touching the roof of the enclosure;
``(iii) with respect to dogs over 8 weeks in age, primary
enclosures that, with the length of the dog measured from the
tip of the nose to the base of the tail, provide at least--
``(I) 12 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring not more than 25 inches long;
``(II) 20 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring more than 25 but less than 35 inches long; and
``(III) 30 square feet of indoor floor space per each dog
measuring not less than 35 inches long;
``(iv) enclosures that are not stacked or otherwise placed
on top of or below another enclosure; and
``(v) temperature control that--
``(I) is appropriate for the age, breed, and condition of
each dog in the enclosure; and
``(II) is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, when dogs
are present in the enclosure;
``(B) that appropriate and nutritious food be provided to
each dog at least twice per day, in an amount sufficient to
maintain the good health and physical condition of each dog;
``(C) that each dog has continuous access to potable water
that is not frozen and is free of feces, algae, and other
contaminants;
``(D) that each dog has adequate exercise, including, for
each dog over the age of 12 weeks--
``(i) except as provided in clause (ii), unrestricted
access from the primary enclosure of the dog during daylight
hours to an outdoor exercise area that--
``(I) is at ground-level;
``(II) is a solid surface;
``(III) is enclosed by a fence or other structure;
``(IV) is properly controlled for the safety of the dog;
and
``(V) allows the dog to extend to full stride, play, and
engage in other types of mentally stimulating and social
behaviors; or
``(ii) if the dealer obtains a certification from the
attending veterinarian stating that a dog should not have
unrestricted access to an outdoor exercise area for a
specific medical reason, an alternative exercise plan
prescribed by the veterinarian for the dog that meets the
applicable requirements under section 3.8 of title 9, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);
``(E) that each dog has meaningful socialization with
humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day
that--
``(i) includes positive interaction with a human such as
petting, stroking, grooming, feeding, playing with,
exercising, or other touching of the dog that is beneficial
to the well-being of the dog; and
``(ii) does not include time spent in veterinary care;
``(F) that each dog receives adequate veterinary care,
including--
``(i) prompt treatment of any disease, illness, or injury
by a licensed veterinarian;
``(ii) a thorough, hands-on examination by a licensed
veterinarian at least once each year, which shall include a
dental exam;
``(iii) core vaccinations recommended by the latest version
of the American Animal Hospital Association Canine
Vaccination Guidelines; and
``(iv) medications to prevent intestinal parasites,
heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks that are approved by a
licensed veterinarian for canine use;
``(G) with respect to safe breeding practices for dogs,
including--
``(i) a screening program for known prevalent inheritable
diseases that may be disabling or likely to significantly
affect the lifespan or quality of life of the mother or the
offspring;
``(ii) prohibiting breeding, unless each dog bred--
``(I) has been screened by a licensed veterinarian prior to
each attempt to breed; and
``(II) is found in the screening under subclause (I) to be
free from health conditions that may be disabling to, or
likely to significantly affect the lifespan or quality of
life of, the mother or the offspring;
``(iii) prohibiting the breeding of a female dog to
produce--
``(I) more than 2 litters in any 18-month period; or
``(II) more than 6 litters during the lifetime of the dog;
``(iv) that a female dog of any small breed (having a
maximum weight range at maturity that is less than 40 pounds)
not be bred--
``(I) before reaching the age of 18 months; or
``(II) after reaching the age of 9 years;
``(v) that a female dog of any large breed (having an
expected weight range at maturity that includes 40 or more
pounds) not be bred--
``(I) before reaching the age of 2 years; or
``(II) after reaching the age of 7 years; and
``(vi) that any canine caesarian section be performed by a
licensed veterinarian;
``(H) that dogs be housed with other dogs, unless health or
behavioral issues make group housing unsafe; and
``(I) to make all reasonable efforts to find humane
placement for retired breeding dogs--
``(i) such as with an adoptive family, rescue organization,
or other appropriate owner for that dog; and
``(ii) not including selling at auction or otherwise
placing a retired breeding dog with another breeder for
breeding purposes.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 13(a)(2)(B) of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)(B)) is amended by
inserting ``subject to paragraph (9),'' before ``for exercise
of dogs''.
(c) Regulations.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final
regulations establishing the standards for the care
[[Page S6100]]
of dogs by dealers, as required by this section and the
amendments made by this section.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Butler):
S. 5075. A bill to provide for the water quality restoration of the
Tijuana River and the New River, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Border Water
Quality Restoration and Protection Act. This bill aims to reduce
pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border and improve water quality of the
Tijuana River and New River.
The bill would designate the Environmental Protection Agency as the
lead Agency to coordinate all Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies to build and maintain needed infrastructure projects to
decrease pollution along the border.
The Tijuana River watershed is in the midst of an environmental
crisis, as stormwater flows from the upper watershed, originating in
Tijuana, Mexico, and carries pollutants such as bacteria, trash, and
sediment that severely affect water quality.
In just the last 5 years, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic
sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater has flowed across the United
States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring
communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and creating
significant negative impacts on water quality, public health, and the
environment.
This transboundary pollution crisis has disproportionately harmed
underserved communities along San Diego's southern border for decades.
U.S. military personnel, Border Patrol agents, and the local
environment and economy have also suffered harmful impacts from
waterborne and airborne transboundary sewage flows.
This bill will build upon the past several years of work I have
undertaken alongside the late Senator Feinstein to bolster the
resources of the Environmental Protection Agency and the International
Boundary and Water Commission to repair, rehabilitate, and expand the
South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, including securing
$300 million in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and more than $100
million through fiscal year 2024 appropriations legislation.
Establishing a program for the Tijuana and New Rivers is critical for
the EPA to integrate and coordinate water quality restoration and
protection activities by stakeholders across the region and will
facilitate better coordination by Federal, State, Tribal, local,
public, nonprofit, and other relevant stakeholders.
California communities have suffered the impacts of transboundary
sewage for too long, and this legislation will facilitate long-awaited
solutions to manage stormwater flows to reduce negative impacts to
nearby communities and the regional economy and restore water quality
and ecosystems throughout these watersheds.
I want to thank my colleagues, especially Congressman Juan Vargas,
for introducing this bill with me. I hope my colleagues will join me to
pass the Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act to address
this public health and environmental crisis.
____________________