| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 1 ORGANIZATION'S MISSION | HUMANE SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE FUND'S (HSLF) MISSION IS TO UNDERTAKE AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE STATUS OF ANIMALS THROUGH EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AND MOBILIZATION OF PUBLIC OPINION AND THROUGH THE REFORM OF LAWS, ENACTMENT OF REMEDIAL LEGISLATION AND CHANGES IN PUBLIC POLICY. THE GOAL OF HSLF IS TO ADVANCE SOCIAL WELFARE BY HELPING TO PASS STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS THAT PROTECT ANIMALS FROM CRUELTY, SUFFERING, AND UNNECESSARY KILLING AND USE. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4b FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY/FEDERAL REGULATORY ACTIVITY | CONTINUED FROM PART III, LINE 4b (1 of 2) FEDERAL AFFAIRS CONTINUED WORK ADVOCATING FOR THE HUMANE COSMETICS ACT (H.R. 5399), PREVENT ALL SORING TACTICS (PAST) ACT (H.R. 3090), PUPPY PROTECTION ACT (H.R. 1624), AND THE SAVE AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN EQUINES (SAFE) ACT ( H.R.3475/S.2037). FEDERAL AFFAIRS ALSO WORKED IN SUPPORT OF OTHER ANIMAL PROTECTION BILLS SUCH AS THE BRING ANIMALS RELIEF AND KIBBLE (BARK) ACT (H.R. 4750/ S. 2370), PET WOMEN AND SAFETY (PAWS) ACT OF 2023 (S. 2734), AND EJIAO ACT OF 2023 (H.R. 6021). FEDERAL AFFAIRS LOBBIED AGAINST THE EXPOSING AGRICULTURAL TRADE SUPPRESSION (EATS) ACT (S.2019/H.R.4417), WHICH COULD WIPE OUT OVER A THOUSAND STATE LAWS RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, MANDATING THAT IF ANY STATE TOLERATES A PRACTICE - NO MATTER HOW HAZARDOUS, DESTRUCTIVE, OR INHUMANE TO PEOPLE OR ANIMALS - OTHER STATES MUST PERMIT IT, TOO. FEDERAL AFFAIRS ALSO LOBBIED AGAINST THE PROTECTING INTERSTATE COMMERCE FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS ACT (S.3382), A BILL SIMILAR IN NATURE TO THE EATS ACT. REGULATORY: FEDERAL AFFAIRS ENCOURAGED THE USDA TO FINALIZE A RULE TO STRENGTHEN ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS ON ORGANIC FARMS. THIS RULE WAS FINALIZED IN OCTOBER 2023 AND SETS CLEAR STANDARDS FOR ANIMAL CARE UNDER THE ORGANIC LABEL INCLUDING BANS ON DEBEAKING, TAIL DOCKING AND THE USE OF GESTATION CRATES. FEDERAL AFFAIRS ALSO URGED THE USDA TO FINALIZE A RULE OUTLINING THE HANDLING, CARE AND TREATMENT OF BIRDS HELD IN CAPTIVITY. THIS RULE WAS FINALIZED IN FEBRUARY 2023 AND APPLIES TO BREEDERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND EXHIBITORS OF BIRDS, AS WELL AS TO CARRIERS AND INTERMEDIATE HANDLERS. IT ALSO REGULATES THE TREATEMENT OF WILD CAUGHT BIRDS AT RESEARCH FACILITIES. FEDERAL AFFAIRS URGED THE USFWS TO FINALIZE A RULE IMPLEMENTING THE BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT. THIS RULE WAS FINALIZED IN JUNE 2023 AND PROHIBITS PHYSICAL CONTACT BETWEEN BIG CATS AND THE PUBLIC AND PROHIBITS PRIVATE OWNERS FROM BREEDING, SELLING OR AQUIRING ANY NEW BIG CATS. FEDERAL AFFAIRS ENCOURAGED THE USFWS TO FINALIZE A RULE THAT WOULD BETTER REGULATE THE IMPORTS OF AFRICAN ELEPHANTS AND THEIR PARTS, LIKE HUNTING TROPHIES, INTO THE UNITED STATES, AND TO PROVIDE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PROTECTIONS FOR THE COMMON HIPPOPOTAMUS. FEDERAL AFFAIRS ENCOURAGED THE NPS TO FINALIZE A RULE WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT EGREGIOUS HUNTING PRACTICES ON NATIONAL PRESERVES IN ALASKA, INCLUDING BEAR BAITING, THE USE OF DOGS TO HUNT BLACK BEARS AND THE KILLING OF WOLVES AND THEIR PUPS DURING DENNING SEASON. FEDERAL AFFAIRS ENCOURAGED THE USDA TO ISSUE AND FINALIZE ITS HORSE PROTECTION ACT RULE WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF DEVICES AND SUBSTANCES INTEGRAL TO SORING AND WOULD ELIMINATE THE INDUSTRY-RUN ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND ASSIGN SOLE RESPONSBILITY TO USDA APHIS TO SCREEN, TRAIN AND AUTHORIZE INSPECTORS. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Publications and Education | CONTINUED FROM PART III, LINE 4a HUMANE SCORECARD: HSLF PUBLISHED ONLINE ITS ANALYSIS OF KEY MEASURES (VOTES AND CO-SPONSORSHIPS) BY FEDERAL LEGISLATORS ON ANIMAL PROTECTION ISSUES. HSLF'S ANNUAL HUMANE SCORECARD ENABLES THE READER TO ASSESS HOW U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES VOTE ON THESE ISSUES. HSLF ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE VERSIONS OF ITS ANALYSIS OF KEY MEASURES (VOTES AND CO-SPONSORSHIPS) BY STATE LEGISLATURES ON ANIMAL PROTECTION ISSUES IN HSLF'S STATE HUMANE SCORECARDS IN CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS, MARYLAND, TEXAS, AND VIRGINIA. COALITION-BUILDING: HSLF BUILDS PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATES IN AREAS OF COMMON INTEREST WITH INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND WORKS WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS ON A RANGE OF ANIMAL-RELATED ISSUES. |
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4b FEDERAL & STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY/FEDERAL REGULATORY ACTIVITY | CONTINUED FROM PART III, LINE 4b (2 OF 2) APPROPRIATIONS: HSLF PRIORITIZED SEEKING POSITIVE ANIMAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS AND LANGUAGE IN THE FY24 APPROPRIATIONS LEGISLATION. THIS INCLUDED FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AGAINST HORSE SORING, FUNDING TO EXPAND SHELTERING OPTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR PETS, AND FUNDING TO PROVIDE STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT TO VETERINARIANS WORKING IN UNDERSERVED AREAS. HSLF ALSO WORKED TO SECURE DIRECTIVES TO PREVENT HORSE SLAUGHTER IN THE U.S., DIRECT THE FDA TO REDUCE ANIMAL TESTING AND ADVANCE NON-ANIMAL METHODS, DIRECT FWS TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT, DIRECT NOAA TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE SHARK FIN SALES ELIMINATION ACT, DIRECT THAT ATTORNEYS AT THE DOJ BE FULLY TRAINED IN PROSECUTING ANIMAL WELFARE ACT VIOLATIONS, ENHANCE ANIMAL WELFARE ENFORCEMENT AT PUPPY MILLS, ZOOS, AND OTHER FACILITIES, SUPPORT FARMERS' TRANSITION TO CAGE-FREE AND CRATE-FREE OPERATIONS, PROHIBIT EFFORTS TO WEAKEN THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT INCLUDING DELISTING NATIVE CARNIVORES LIKE THE GRAY WOLF AND GRIZZLY BEAR, AND PROHIBIT FUNDING FOR EXPANDING PRIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE AT NIH. |
| Form 990, Part V, Line 2a Number of Employees Reported on Form W-3 | The Humane Society of the United States pays wages to the employees of HSLF and files all required federal employment tax returns, including Form W-3. HSLF does not report employees on Form W-3. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 2 Family/business relationships amongst interested persons | OFFICERS Abi-Hassan, Block, Ciccolo, Corcoran, Frackleton, Flocken, Hall, Paquette, PARRA, and Taylor WERE EMPLOYED BY ANOTHER ORGANIZATION ON WHOSE BOARD DIRECTORS ATHERTON, KANGAS, LAUE, LINEHAN, Mcmillen, AND SABATINO SERVED. THEREFORE, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAD "BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS" WITH EACH OTHER. - Business relationship |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body | AFTER INTERNAL ACCOUNTING STAFF DRAFTS THE 990, THE DRAFT IS SUBMITTED TO HSLF'S INDEPENDENT TAX PREPARERS FOR THEIR REVIEW AND REVISION, AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. THE REVISED DRAFT IS THEN GIVEN TO HSLF'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR FURTHER REVIEW. ONCE ALL STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS/REVISIONS ARE DONE, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER SENDS THE PROPOSED FINAL OF THE FORM 990 TO THE HSLF BOARD FOR ITS CONSIDERATION. ONCE THE BOARD HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND COMMENT, THE FINALIZED VERSION IS FILED WITH THE IRS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy | HSLF IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES (HSUS). ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE HSUS APPLY TO HSLF INCLUDING, INTER ALIA, THOSE CODIFIED IN THE CURRENT HSUS EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. IN CASES WHERE THE LITERAL READING OF THE HSUS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MAY OR COULD CAUSE CONFUSION (E.G., THE HSUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY'S REFERENCES TO HSUS DIRECTORS), FOR PURPOSES OF INTERNAL HSLF ACTIVITIES, THESE POLICIES WILL BE READ TO APPLY AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO HSLF, MAKING SUBSTITUTIONS IN TERMINOLOGY AS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED GOAL. IN CASE OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE HSUS AND HSLF, THE STRICTER WILL CONTROL. HSLF HAS ADOPTED A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY TO REINFORCE THE OBLIGATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS TO DISCLOSE ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. THE POLICY COVERS HSLF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. HSLF BOARD MEMBERS AND/OR OFFICERS WHO ARE DIRECTORS OR SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HSUS ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IN THOSE CAPACITIES. A DECISION AS TO WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH REGARD TO HSLF IS MADE AT THE HSLF EXECUTIVE LEVEL OR, IF NECESSARY, BY ITS BOARD. CONSIDERATION OF POSSIBLE CONFLICTS IS ALSO PROVIDED DURING THE LEGAL REVIEW OF PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED BEFORE PROCEEDING. INDIVIDUALS HAVING POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST CANNOT VOTE OR PARTICIPATE IN BOARD OR COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS ON THE SUBJECT OR TO BE COUNTED TOWARD MEETING A QUORUM; HOWEVER, THEY MAY RESPOND TO QUESTIONS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public | HSLF MAKES ITS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AVAILABLE TO DONORS FREE OF CHARGE UPON REQUEST. FORMAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE FILED WITH STATE CHARITABLE SOLICITATION REGISTRATIONS AND ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO MAJOR DONORS AND, WHERE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY MAIL UPON REQUEST. HSLF MAKES COPIES OF ITS FORM 1024 APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST BOTH BY MAIL AND IN PERSON AT HSLF'S HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC. HSLF MAKES COPIES OF THE THREE MOST RECENTLY-FILED FORMS 990 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST BOTH BY MAIL AND IN PERSON AT HSLF'S HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC, AS WELL AS ON HSLF'S WEBSITE, AS SET FORTH IN IRS CODE SECTION 6104(D). THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY HAS NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. |
| Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g Other Fees | General Consultants - Total Expense: 659851, Program Service Expense: 542759, Management and General Expenses: 14937, Fundraising Expenses: 102155; Voter outreach - Total Expense: 148084, Program Service Expense: 121806, Management and General Expenses: 3352, Fundraising Expenses: 22926; |
| Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c AUDIT OVERSIGHT | THE PROCESS FOR OVERSEEING THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT THAT AUDITED THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAS BEEN CONSISTENT WITH PRIOR YEARS. THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD WHICH ACTS AS ITS OWN COMMITTEE. |
| Software ID: | 23017437 |
| Software Version: | 2023v5.1 |