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S. 4079Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

PEARL Act

Sponsored by Ruben GallegoSen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
Introduced March 12, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 17, 2026 at 4:23 AM UTC

The PEARL Act creates a pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to adopt dogs from local animal shelters and train them as support dogs for the agency’s canine program. The program must be set up within 60 days of the law’s enactment and will run for three years. No new funding is provided for the program, so it must use existing resources.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Homeland Security, through the CBP Commissioner, must establish the pilot adoption and training program within 60 days of enactment.
  • The program will last for three years from its start date and then terminate.
  • The legislation does not authorize any additional appropriations; the program must be funded from existing CBP resources.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 569.

September 14, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 12, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

March 12, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

August 6, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment. Without written report.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

September 14, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 569.

September 14, 2026

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued September 14, 2026

II

Calendar No. 569

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4079

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 12, 2026

Mr. Gallego (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Kelly, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

September 14, 2026

Reported by Mr. Paul, with an amendment

Insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To establish in U.S. Customs and Border Protection a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act or the PEARL Act.

2.

CBP support dog pilot program

(a)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall establish in CBP a pilot program to adopt dogs from local animal shelters to be trained as support dogs for CBP’s Support Canine Program.

(b)

Duration

The pilot program under subsection (a) shall terminate three years after the date of its establishment.

(c)

No additional funds

No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section.

September 14, 2026

Reported with an amendment