H.R. 1802 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Mar 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryEnds most federal animal research
This bill would stop federal agencies, contractors, and those receiving federal money from using animals in research and testing. There would be a 3-year phase-out for drug and biomedical testing, and 18 months for other testing like cosmetics. Congress could still allow animal research in rare cases for infectious diseases or national security if no alternative exists. The bill also requires federally funded labs to release their research animals to sanctuaries or qualified individuals, and sets up funding to help researchers switch to non-animal methods.
How it affects you
If you work in federally funded research, pharmaceutical development, or cosmetics testing, your work methods would need to change significantly. Scientists and companies relying on federal funding would need to transition to alternative testing methods. Most everyday Americans wouldn't directly feel the change, but it could eventually affect how drugs and products are tested before they reach consumers.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 3, 2025)
Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics Act or the SPARE Act
This bill prohibits federal departments, agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and grantees from engaging in research and testing using animals.
This prohibition takes effect 3 years after the bill’s enactment for biomedical experimenting and drug testing, and 18 months after enactment for other research including cosmetics and toxicity testing. The prohibition does not apply to clinical veterinary research or certain activities related to military or service animals. Upon an application from a federal entity, contractor, or grantee, Congress may authorize animal research for a limited period if the research relates to an infectious disease or national security, would use animals sparingly, and for which no alternative exists.
The bill establishes a civil penalty for certain violations of the prohibition, and permits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to impose other specified sanctions on violators.
The bill also requires federally funded research facilities that have used animals in research to release any such animal to a specified animal organization or eligible individual within one year of the bill’s enactment, after having consulted with an accredited sanctuary or animal behavioral specialist. The USDA and NIH must make available a public database with information on animals released under these provisions.
Finally, the bill requires the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive grant program to support the transition of animal research to non-animal research, and to establish a program to support the validation and standardization of non-animal research.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1802
A BILL
SPARE Act
Sponsor: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) · Introduced Mar 3, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 28, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.”