Goldie's Act of 2024 strengthens enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act by giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture more tools to inspect facilities, document violations, and penalize noncompliance. The bill requires the USDA to notify state and local law enforcement within 48 hours of suspected violations involving animal suffering, conduct annual inspections of research facilities and animal dealers, and confiscate animals in poor condition. It also establishes a searchable public database that must be updated within 48 hours of resolved violations, sets a minimum civil penalty of $1,500 per violation, requires hearings to include veterinarians and animal care specialists, and mandates that penalties be calculated individually per animal and violation without arbitrary reductions. The legislation affects animal dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, and carriers regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, and includes various technical corrections and clarifications to the existing law.
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