Protection of greyhounds

(a) In general The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 30. Protection of greyhounds (a) In general It shall be unlawful— (1) for any person to knowingly engage in commercial greyhound racing, live lure training, or open field coursing events in which any greyhound is moved in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) to conduct any commercial greyhound racing or racing meeting where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of greyhounds occurs; (3) to conduct open field coursing or live lure training with the use of any bait that is not an inanimate object; (4) to engage in or facilitate simulcast betting or wagering on greyhound races in interstate or foreign commerce; and (5) for any person to knowingly sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive any greyhound for purposes of having the greyhound participate in commercial greyhound racing, live lure training, or open field coursing events. (b) Investigations The Secretary, or any other person authorized by the Secretary, shall make such investigations as the Secretary determines necessary to determine whether any person has violated or is violating any provision of this section. The Secretary may obtain the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Treasury, or other law enforcement agencies of the United States, and State and local governmental agencies, in the conduct of such investigations, under cooperative agreements with such agencies. (c) Penalties Any person who violates any of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) shall be fined under this Act, imprisoned for not more than 7 years, or both, for each such violation. Each instance of a violation of any such paragraph shall be considered a single violation. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Commercial greyhound racing The term commercial greyhound racing means any event involving the participation of greyhounds in which betting or wagering on the speed or ability of such greyhounds occurs. (2) Simulcast The term simulcast means the simultaneous audio or visual transmission from one location of foreign or domestic greyhound races taking place at a different location and gambling on the results of such races.. (b) Definition of animal Section 2(g) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132(g)) is amended by inserting hare, after rabbit,. (c) Applicability The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to conduct occurring on or after October 1, 2027. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed— (1) to preempt any State law prohibiting gambling or protecting the welfare of animals, including greyhounds, jackrabbits, and hares; or (2) to alter, limit, or extend the relationship between the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) as it relates to horse racing and other Federal laws in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 30. Protection of greyhounds (a) In general It shall be unlawful— (1) for any person to knowingly engage in commercial greyhound racing in which any greyhound is moved in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) to conduct any commercial greyhound racing or racing meeting where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of greyhounds occurs; (3) to engage in or facilitate simulcast betting or wagering on greyhound races in interstate or foreign commerce; and (4) for any person to knowingly sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive any greyhound for purposes of having the greyhound participate in commercial greyhound racing. (b) Investigations The Secretary, or any other person authorized by the Secretary, shall make such investigations as the Secretary determines necessary to determine whether any person has violated or is violating any provision of this section. The Secretary may obtain the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Treasury, or other law enforcement agencies of the United States, and State and local governmental agencies, in the conduct of such investigations, under cooperative agreements with such agencies. (c) Penalties Any person who violates any of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) shall be fined under this Act, imprisoned for not more than 7 years, or both, for each such violation. Each instance of a violation of any such paragraph shall be considered a single violation. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Commercial greyhound racing The term commercial greyhound racing means any event involving the participation of greyhounds in which betting or wagering on the speed or ability of such greyhounds occurs. (2) Simulcast The term simulcast means the simultaneous audio or visual transmission from one location of foreign or domestic greyhound races taking place at a different location and gambling on the results of such races.. (b) Applicability The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to conduct occurring on or after October 1, 2027. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed— (1) to preempt any State law prohibiting gambling or protecting the welfare of animals; or (2) to alter, limit, or extend the relationship between the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) as it relates to horse racing and other Federal laws in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.