To require the immediate termination of the Department of Defense practice of euthanizing military working dogs at the end of their useful working life and to facilitate the adoption of retired military working dogs by law enforcement agencies, former handlers of these dogs, and other persons capable of caring for these dogs.
Public Law 106-446 · H.R. 5314 · 106th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Nov 6, 2000 · Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6)
Cosponsors (38): Rep. Richard Pombo, Rep. Jim Kolbe,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to make a military working dog available for adoption by law enforcement agencies, former handlers, and other persons capable of humanely caring for such dogs at the end of such dog's useful working life or when the dog is otherwise excess to the needs of the Department of Defense. Requires the commander of the last unit to which the dog is assigned to make the decision whether a particular dog is suitable or unsuitable for adoption. Holds harmless the United States from: (1) any damages or injury caused by a dog after such transfer; or (2) any veterinary expense associated with a medical condition of a working dog before the transfer, whether or not such condition is known at the time.
Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress concerning dogs adopted, waiting for adoption, or euthanized during the preceding year (with an explanation in the case of euthanization).
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 14 actions.
- Nov 6, 2000Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 106-446.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 28, 2000PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 26, 2000Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Bartlett moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
- Oct 24, 2000FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Oct 10, 2000FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Bartlett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 27, 2000CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Armed Services Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.