Hearings Today on Unconstitutional Legislation Initiated by Animal Researchers

Proposed Law Takes Aim at Free Speech and Access to Public Information

Sacramento, Calif.—An unconstitutional bill designed to chill free speech and restrict access to public records about publicly-funded animal research will be heard today by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee (9 a.m., Rm. 4202, State Capitol). Veterinarian Elliot Katz, president of In Defense of Animals (IDA), will testify against the bill this morning.

“AB 2296 is a wrongheaded and unconstitutional attempt to infringe on the rights of the many animal welfare groups working legally and legitimately to stop the abuse of animals in research,” said Katz. “It is wrong to restrict and penalize the public for the acts of a few, particularly when there are already criminal laws and other legal remedies available to prohibit acts that are clearly illegal, such as violence, threats and intimidation.”

Katz said that the bill would also restrict access to information about private companies receiving public funding.

“In 2004, California voters passed a $3 billion initiative for stem cell research. The taxpayers have a right to know who receives the funds and how they are being spent,” Katz continued. “AB 2296 is designed to circumvent a basic public accountability measure for this and other forms of publicly funded research.”