Bills to increase transparency within public college and university animal testing facilities advanced in the General Assembly, but with amendments.

Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) introduced Senate Bill 411 to require animal testing facilities to submit an annual report to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The report would include information about the number and species of animals used, including those not covered by the federal Animal Welfare Act, and the cost of experiments.

The measure also capped Freedom of Information Act records requests at $25.

The amended bill will instead create a task force that looks for potential deficiencies at public animal testing facilities and makes any needed recommendations to increase public transparency. Recommendations could include situations of noncompliance with federal regulations and details about the facility care, use and number of animals. The report will be due by November.

Representatives such ...