HR2185Referred to Committee
Mink VIRUS Act
Introduced
In Committee
3
Passed One Chamber4
Passed Both5
Signed into Law119th
Congress
2025-03-18
Introduced
4
Cosponsors
HR
ⓘType
Sponsor
Adriano Espaillat
Democrat · NY · Representative
Votes with party: 97.8% (548 recorded votes)
Full profile: /officials/E000297
Source: Congress.gov · FEC
Cosponsors (4)
Members who have signed on to support this bill since introduction. Source: Congress.gov.
Latest Action
The most recent step in the bill's legislative path. Committee Activity below shows referrals and reports; the full action-by-action history including floor proceedings lives at Congress.gov →
Committee Activity
Currently in
- House Committee on AgricultureReferred To · 2025-03-18
- House Committee on the BudgetReferred To · 2025-03-18
Previously
- Agriculture CommitteeReferred To · 2025-03-18
- Budget CommitteeReferred To · 2025-03-18
Plain-English Summary
Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act or the Mink VIRUS Act This bill prohibits the farming of mink for their fur beginning one year after the bill's enactment and establishes a compensation program. Beginning 90 days after the bill's enactment, any termination of farmed mink must be done in a manner that (1) meets the definition of euthanasia specified in Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations (i.e., the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress, or that utilizes anesthesia that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent death); and (2) is classified as acceptable by the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. This prohibition and these requirements do not preempt or limit any state law or regulation that is more restrictive. Further, any person in violation of this prohibition or these requirements is subject to civil penalties. USDA must establish a payment program to compensate fur farm owners whose operations involve the farming of mink. Under the program, USDA must provide payments for (1) the reasonable costs incurred to comply with this bill, and (2) the market value of the portion of the farm involving mink farming (exclusive of the land). Fur farm owners may not use payment funds for fur farm operations. Further, the owner must provide USDA with a permanent property easement that prohibits the operation of any fur farm on the easement area.
Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.
Subjects
Agriculture and Food
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