Subcommittee debates animal-testing reporting; governor signals veto risk, members consider narrowing to cosmetics

Representative Sullivan explained an amendment to SB444 that would require entities using animal testing in the state to file an annual, aggregated report by animal type to the governor's commission on humane treatment, with penalties for unauthorized disclosure intended to preserve company anonymity.

"The goal of this amendment was to sort of collect it," the sponsor told the committee, saying the data would allow future, informed regulation if needed. The amendment was written to aggregate results precisely to avoid identifying individual companies or revealing proprietary information.

Committee members reported the governor's office communicated concern that a broad reporting mandate could be a disincentive to attracting biotech firms to the state. Members discussed narrowing the reporting requirement to cosmetic companies as a possible compromise to preserve data-collection objectives while reducing perceived business risk.

Several members said they were comfortable advancing the assembly's position even if the governor might veto the measure; others preferred to propose a narrower amendment to increase the chance of enactment.

After discussion, the subcommittee moved SB444 to interim study with unanimous committee support to allow further negotiation and drafting of a targeted amendment; the chair said stakeholders and the governor's office would continue talks over the summer.

Next steps: staff will draft possible cosmetic-only language and return in the afternoon or during the interim process for the subcommittee to consider.