California Senate blocks bill banning sale of genetically altered pets

Assemblymember Leticia Castillo's AB 1382 sought to ban the sale of genetically modified animals, targeting novelty pets like glow-in-the-dark rabbits and horned “unicorn” horses. After unanimous passage in the Assembly and bipartisan approval in the Senate Judiciary Committee, the measure reached the Senate Appropriations Committee, where Senator Sabrina Cervantes, whose sister is a November challenger to Castillo, presided over a hearing that produced no discussion and resulted in the bill's demise.

Proponents, including founder Judie Mancuso of Social Compassion in Legislation, blamed the timing of the vote on political calculations in an election year. The legislation would have set civil fines of $5,000 or more and exempted certain fish species. Critics warned that the bill could create significant workload pressures for state courts handling civil cases.

Animal-rights groups fear that without regulation, designer pets could end up in overcrowded shelters. The bill's sponsor pledged to continue fighting against cosmetic genetic engineering of animals.