Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Ashby and 14 co-sponsors

Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for enterprise corruption, letting prosecutors charge organizers and participants under enterprise crime laws.

REFERRED TO CODES

Bill Summary — S 3158

Title: Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes

Status: REFERRED TO CODES

Introduced: November 7, 2025

Primary Sponsor: Rick Scott; James Skoufis
Co-sponsors: Christopher Ryan, Monica Martinez, Robert Rolison, Dean Murray, Lea Webb, Jake Ashby, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Pete Harckham, Anthony H. Palumbo

Related Bills: S 8471 (prior-session); A 1816 (companion)

Purpose and Intent

The bill expands the scope of “criminal activity” eligible to be pursued under enterprise corruption crimes by explicitly including animal fighting. This change is intended to recognize animal fighting as a predicate offense within the framework of enterprise corruption prosecutions.

Key Provisions (What the bill would change)

Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes.

This means individuals or entities engaged in animal fighting as part of an enterprise could be charged under enterprise corruption statutes.

Applies existing enterprise corruption mechanisms to criminal activity involving animal fighting, potentially increasing the range of acts that prosecutors can charge under these statutes.

Note: The available information does not specify additional definitional nuances, penalties, or procedural steps beyond the inclusion of animal fighting as a predicate activity.

Who Would Be Affected

Individuals and organizations involved in animal fighting operations (organizers, participants, sponsors, and coordinators) could become subject to enterprise corruption charges.

Law enforcement and prosecutors would gain a new predicate act to pursue under enterprise corruption statutes.

Civilian and animal welfare groups may see increased enforcement regarding organized animal fighting rings.

Entities already subject to enterprise corruption laws may need to assess the inclusion of animal fighting as a new predicate.

Legislative History and Status

2025-04-08: Senate Passed; Delivered to Assembly; Referred to Codes

2025-03-25 to 2025-03-27: Various committee and reporting steps (1st and 2nd Reports, advanced to 3rd reading)

2025-01-23: Referred to Codes

2025-11-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Introduced in Senate

Current Status: Referred to Codes

Implementation and Timeline Considerations

If enacted, state prosecutors could charge animal fighting-related conduct under enterprise corruption theories, potentially impacting sentencing considerations and enforcement strategies.

The timeline indicates ongoing legislative activity in 2025, with prior Senate passage in April and reintroduction in November, signaling continued consideration within the Codes committee process.

Notes

A companion bill exists in the Assembly (A 1816) and a related Senate bill (S 8471) from a prior session, suggesting continued cross-chamber interest in addressing animal fighting within enterprise crime frameworks.