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HR1802119th Congress

SPARE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

In Committee

Summary

Ends most federally funded animal research and builds a federal push to replace it with non‑animal methods. The bill prohibits a wide range of research, testing, and experimentation using animals by federal departments, agencies, contractors, subcontractors, or grantees and creates a Federal Research Modernization Fund at the National Science Foundation to accelerate human‑cell models, AI, organ‑on‑chip work, and related validation activities.

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  • Researchers and institutions: Federal researchers, contractors, and grantees must stop most animal‑based research with phased delays of 18 months for cosmetic, toxicity, and basic psychological or behavioral studies and 3 years for biomedical and drug testing. Narrow, time‑limited exceptions for military or infectious‑disease work can be approved only by a joint congressional resolution and must meet strict conditions and minimal animal use.
  • Animals and rescue organizations: Animals used in newly prohibited research must be transferred to approved rescue groups, accredited sanctuaries, licensed shelters, or eligible individuals with veterinary certification. The bill requires a one‑year deadline to set up an Animal Release Program, quarterly reporting to APHIS and OLAW, and a public database within 20 months.
  • Federal oversight and transition support: The NSF fund will award competitive grants, including at least one to a nonprofit rescue or rehabilitation organization, provide contractor training, fund collaboration programs, and support validation and standardization of non‑animal methods. Agencies face annual compliance audits starting one year after enactment and biennial House and Senate hearings, and the provision overrides conflicting Animal Welfare Act or Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Grants to move beyond animal testing

This bill would create a Federal Research Modernization Fund at the National Science Foundation. Within one year, NSF would give competitive grants to shift to non‑animal methods, like human‑cell models, AI, and organ‑on‑chip. At least one grant would go to a nonprofit rescue or rehabilitation group. The fund would train federal contractors, help labs collaborate, and support validation and standard rules for non‑animal methods.

Annual audits and fines for violators

This bill would require the Comptroller General to audit each federal department, agency, contractor, subcontractor, and grantee within one year and every year after, in consultation with APHIS and OLAW. Reports would go to Congress, and each House would hold a hearing within two years and annually after. If USDA or NIH finds a violation, the entity would have to follow a corrective plan. After notice and a hearing, USDA or NIH could bar a contractor, subcontractor, or grantee from federal research grants for a set time. Violators could also face civil fines up to $250,000 per violation for breaking the ban or release rules.

Ban on animal tests with federal money

This bill would ban using federal money for research, testing, or experiments that use animals. The ban would not apply to cosmetic, toxicity, or basic behavior tests until 18 months after enactment, and not to biomedical or drug testing until three years after enactment. Clinical veterinary research for a sick or injured dog or cat, and work tied to military or service animals, would still be allowed. Agencies could ask Congress for up to one year of permission for infectious disease or national security work if no alternative exists and animals would be used sparingly. The bill would define who counts as an animal (including dogs, cats, non‑human primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and other warm‑blooded animals named by USDA) and who qualifies as a rescue or accredited sanctuary, and it would override conflicting parts of the Animal Welfare Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Program to release research animals

This bill would require federally funded research facilities to set up, within one year, a program to release animals used in banned research. Facilities would have to consult a sanctuary or behavior specialist and get a vet to certify each animal is fit for release. Facilities would report numbers to APHIS and OLAW starting 16 months after enactment and every quarter after. USDA and NIH would create a public database within 20 months and update it at least quarterly.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

NY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2025

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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