NEW YORK A04005 S04363 Prohibits the issuance of permits authorizing the use of wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts; excepts a wildlife sanctuary and a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Bans issuing permit or license for a circus or traveling animal act to exhibit wild animals except AZA and wildlife sanctuaries
H: Amended 5/8 - Passed Environmental Conservation 5/23 – Codes – CARRIED INTO 2024
S: CARRIED INTO 2024 – Amended 2/21 – Passed Environmental Conservation 4/16 – 1st reading – 2nd reading
OKLAHOMA SB1952Fish and wildlife; permitting individuals to breed quail without obtaining license. Effective date.
- Exempts those breeding or raising quail for personal consumption or noncommercial purposes from needing a license
- Includes hobby, education or scientific purposes, and release on private property
1st & 2nd reading - Tourism and Wildlife
OKLAHOMA HB 2862Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry; cervidae; effective date.
Grants the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry authority over all state policies regarding CWD and cervids
Passed House 3/13 – Senate 1st reading – 2nd reading – Passed Agriculture and Rural Affairs as amended 4/10 – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB994 RELATING TO UHU.
Bans take of parrotfish from state waters
1st reading - Water and Land – CARRIED INTO 2024
OKLAHOMA HB 2593Animals; creating the Endangered Ark Foundation Preservation Act; effective date.
Excludes free contact and protected contact with elephants at nonprofit entities from animal cruelty
1st & 2nd reading – Rules – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB818 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Transfers the aquaculture program from Department of Agriculture to Agribusiness Development Corporation
Passed Senate w/SD1 3/7 –– Passed House w/HD1 & HD2 4/4 – Senate did NOT concur – Conferees appointed 4/18 – CARRIED INTO 2024 - Conferees discharged
VIRGINIA HB 1531Cruelty to elephants; pain-inflicting training tools prohibited; actions for attachment; civil
Bans 1) using electricity, martingales, or block and tackle to physical punish an elephant that results in damage, scarring, or breaking of skin or inserting instruments into bodily orifice; 2) using bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or other device designed for fear or pain to train or control an elephant; or 3) brandishing, exhibiting, or displaying any device in #2 in the presence of an elephant
Signed into law 4/2/24 – Chapter 333 – Effective 7/1/24
MARYLAND HB0345Fish and Wildlife - Endangered and Threatened Species - Definitions, Petitions, and Regulations
- Requires the Secretary to review the lists of threatened and endangered fish and wildlife by 7/1/26 and every 5 years and update regulations as needed
- Requires petitions to add or remove species from the lists to include 1) biological distribution in state, 2) life needs and habitat requirements, 3) evidence of decline if unlisted OR that species is more common than believed if listed, 4) known threats, 5) relevant biological and ecological data or life history, 6) evidence of being recognized as a valid species, and 7) documentation that it occurs naturally in the state
- Defines fish as finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles that spend a majority of their life cycle in water
- Defines wildlife as mammals, birds, amphibians, mollusks, invertebrates, crustaceans, and reptiles that spend a majority of their life cycle on land
Passed House 3/7 – Passed Senate 4/5
MASSACHUSETTS H 375An Act relative to wildlife rehabilitators
Excludes aid or care of sick, injured, debilitated and orphaned wildlife by wildlife rehabilitator from practicing veterinary medicine
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure – Hearing 6/26 – CARRIED INTO 2024
PENNSYLVANIA HB 567 An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in permits relating to wildlife, further providing for definitions.
Changes definition of exotic wildlife to include all nonindigenous animals including those listed but excluding those listed as exempt - also exempts hedgehogs and sugar gliders
Game and Fisheries – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK A07840S08829 Prohibits the importing, possession, or sale of any part or product of the skin or body of a kangaroo for commercial purposes
Bans import, possession to sell, and sale of parts and products of the skin or body of a kangaroo for commercial purposes or to direct another person to do so
Agriculture - CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB2149 RELATING TO PERMITS.
Limits the time to approve or deny an aquaculture license to 90 days of submission
1st reading – Passed Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land as amended 1/31 – 2nd reading - WAM
HAWAII SB648 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Allows University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to establish aquaculture disease diagnostic laboratory
1st reading – Passed Agriculture and Environment w/SD1 2/14 – 2nd reading – WAM – CARRIED INTO 2024
SOUTH CAROLINA H. 4874A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 17 TO TITLE 50 SO AS TO REGULATE CAPTIVE WILDLIFE BY DEFINING TERMS, OUTLINING THE PERMITTING PROCESS, LISTING EXCEPTIONS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; BY AMENDING SECTION 50-16-40, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO THE PERMIT REQUIREMENT FOR WILDLIFE IMPORTED FOR EXHIBITION PURPOSES, SO AS TO LIMIT THE EXCEPTIONS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 50-11-1180 RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE PERMITS TO COLLECT PROTECTED WILDLIFE FOR SCIENTIFIC OR PROPAGATING PURPOSES.
Prohibits possession of live captive wildlife except for those entities granted permit, grandfathered registered animals, and those exempt from permit
Passed House 3/28 – Senate 1st reading - Fish, Game and Forestry
HAWAII SB519 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Creates Aquaculture Advisory Committee
1st reading – Passed Agriculture and Environment w/SD1 2/3 – 2nd reading - Referred to WAM – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB2079 RELATING TO THE IMPORTATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
Allows State of Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form to be electronic instead of paper
Passed Senate 3/5 – Passed House as amended 4/3 – Senate disagreed – Conferees appointed – Conference committee meeting 4/22
MASSACHUSETTS H 3245An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows
Bans participation of covered animal in traveling animal acts
CARRIED INTO 2024 – Passed Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development 2/8 – House Ways & Means
PENNSYLVANIA HB 1113 An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special licenses and permits, further providing for definitions, for exotic wildlife possession permits and for menagerie permits.
- Requires exotic wildlife dealers to have 5 documented transactions annually; menagerie includes exotic wildlife and 10+ animals with characteristics similar to wild ones
- Bans issuing new possession permits after 1/1/2023 and only allows issuing wildlife dealer and menagerie permits - possession permits limited to continued possession of wildlife owned on 12/31/22
Game and Fisheries – CARRIED INTO 2024
ILLINOIS HB 0062 ANIMALS-TECH
Amends Herptiles-Herp Act (shell bill)
1st reading – Back to Rules - CARRIED INTO 2024
PENNSYLVANIA HB 1522An Act establishing the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Issues grants for wildlife rehabilitation, improving their facilities, or a related purpose
Passed House as amended 10/16 – Senate Game and Fisheries – CARRIED INTO 2024
ILLINOIS HB 4446 CRIM CD-DANGEROUS ANIMAL-DEFIN
Adds serval, caracal, kangaroo, wallaby to the dangerous animal list along with hybrids, intergrades, and crosses of listed animals
Passed House w/ Amendment 1 and Floor amendment 2 4/19 – Senate 1st reading - Assignments
ILLINOIS SB 1890 SNAPPING TURTLES-TRAP
Amends Herptiles Act by allowing taking snapping turtles by trap notwithstanding any rule
1st reading – Back to Assignments – CARRIED INTO 2024 - Agriculture - Back to Assignments
MARYLAND HB0379Wildlife - Traveling Animal Acts - Prohibition
Bans performance of covered animals in traveling animal acts
Passed House 2/29 – Passed Senate as amended 4/5 – House concurs
ILLINOIS HB3695 CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACT
Adds all exotic animals to the ban on traveling acts
1st reading – Back to Rules – CARRIED INTO 2024
WVHB 4363To permit the ownership of Japanese quail as pets without a permit so long as the quail are not kept for commercial purposes
Exempts from needing private game farm license Japanese quail kept as pets for noncommercial purposes along with sales up to 3 or less a year
DEAD
WVHB 2783To remove primates as a dangerous wild animal
Removes primates from list of animals that the dangerous wild animals list may include
DEAD
WVHB 3380To permit the ownership of Japanese quail as pets without a permit so long as the quail are not kept for commercial purposes
Exempts from needing private game farm license Japanese quail kept as pets for noncommercial purposes along with sales up to 3 or less a year
DEAD
HAWAII SB518 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Requires University of Hawaii to develop 5 year plan to grow the aquaculture industry
1st reading – Passed Agriculture and Environment and HRE w/SD 1 2/14 – 2nd reading – WAM – CARRIED INTO 2024
2024 STATE BILLS
NEW HAMPSHIRE HB 1325 relative to allowing private ownership of small tailed monkeys, raccoons, foxes, otters, skunks, and kangaroos.
Allows keeping foxes, skunks, small tailed monkeys, raccoons, red tailed kangaroos, and otters as companion animals without a permit
INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE
The following is a list of bills that have been introduced or will be introduced. This list is not all inclusive. The bills pertain to the ownership of exotic and wild animals for the 2024 Legislative Session. It is updated as of 4/22/24.
WVHB 4745Exempting Coturnix quail from the game farm requirement if they are owned for agricultural purposes
Exempts domesticated poultry (nonnative quail and partridges kept for agriculture purposes = meat or egg production) from being considered wild birds and the private game preserve license
DEAD
VERMONT H.812 An act relating to threatened and endangered species
- Requires Secretary to revise the threatened and endangered species list by rule every 3 years
- Requires Secretary to designate critical habitat for all endangered and threatened species
- For activities prohibited involving such species: adds selling and offering for sale in INTRAstate commerce; delivery receipt, carrying, transport, and shipping in INTRAstate commerce; and importing or exporting
- For authorized taking: removes take for scientific purposes, zoological exhibition, educational purposes, noncommercial cultural or ceremonial purposes, and special purposes for federal ESA
- Authorizes Secretary in consultation with Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets to develop practices that those involved in farming, forestry operations, or silvicultural practices may implement to minimize or avoid taking or encourage critical habitat AND if taking occurs during farming or forestry operations while complying with the practices, then they are considered to not have caused the taking
1st reading - Environment and Energy – Hearing 1/16 – Hearing 2/21
HAWAII HB746RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Switches aquaculture program from department of agriculture's plant quarantine branch to animal industry division
1st reading – Agriculture – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK A09592S07933 Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis
Allows department of environmental conservation to add species to the prohibited and regulated invasive species list on an emergency basis if reviewed by the department of agriculture and markets and council
Environmental Conservation
Passed Environmental Conservation 3/12 – 1st and 2nd reading
HAWAII HB910 SB505 RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
Bans taking aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes including for pets, scientific study, public exhibit or display or sale except for bait, consumption or from fish ponds
HB - 1st reading – Water & Land – CARRIED INTO 2024
SB - Agriculture and Environment & Water & Land Report NOT adopted by Senate – CARRIED INTO 2024
PENNSYLVANIA HB 1451An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special licenses and permits, further providing for definitions, for exotic wildlife possession permits, for menagerie permits and for exclusions.
Bans possession, menagerie, and dealer permittees from permitting the public to feed or have direct contact with exotic wildlife or wildlife other than ruminants
Passed House 11/13 – Senate Game and Fisheries – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB381 RELATING TO ANIMALS.
Bans use of captive marine mammals in performances for entertainment at meeting, competition, exhibit, pastime, practice, display or event except research or rehabilitation
1st reading - Agriculture and Environment – CARRIED INTO 2024
VERMONT H.459 An act relating to prohibiting the trade of kangaroo parts
Bans purchase, sale and possession of parts made wholly or partially from kangaroo
1st reading - Environment and Energy– CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII SB2299 RELATING TO AQUATIC LIFE.
- Bans nets with nets or netting with less than 2”
- Exempts aquarium fish collectors with an aquarium fish permit who uses traps and nets in compliance with the permit
- Limits non-commercial aquarium collectors to a combined 5 fish or aquatic life specimens per person per day
- Violations are under 187A-12.5 and 188-70 with a separate offense per violation
1st reading – Water and Land
HAWAII HB760 SB1033 RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES.
Allows department to create rules regarding preventing or responding to new or previously benign aquatic nuisance species or due to new technology or data
HB -Passed House w/HD1 3/7 – Senate 1st reading – AEN/WTL – CARRIED INTO 2024
SB - 1st reading - Agriculture and Environment – CARRIED INTO 2024
ILLINOIS HB 0933 WILDLIFE-TECH
Amends Endangered Species Protection Act (shell bill)
1st reading – Back to Rules – CARRIED INTO 2024
TENNESSEE HB0285SB0194 Animal cruelty involving cock fighting
Increases penalty for owning or training a cock (game birds) for fighting, fighting one or allowing such act on one’s premises from Class A misdemeanor to Class E felony
HB - 1st & 2nd reading – FAILED in Criminal Justice Subcommittee 3/7
SB - 1st reading & 2nd reading – Judiciary – Hearing 3/13 - General Subcommittee – CARRIED INTO 2024
OKLAHOMA SB 1431Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae Act; allowing a license owner or operator of a licensed cervidae facilitiy
Allows owner of licensed Cervidae facility to be reimbursed for disposal of farmed cervids up to 25% of the value
1st & 2nd reading – Passed Tourism and Wildlife 2/19 – Passed Appropriations as amended 2/28
WAHB 1153Prohibiting octopus farming.
Bans octopus aquaculture in the state
Signed into law 3/13/24 – Chapter 45 – Effective 6/6/24
MASSACHUSETTS S 2197 An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows
Bans participation of covered animal in traveling animal acts
Accompanied by H3245
HAWAII SB2148 RELATING TO AQUARIUM FISH PERMITS.
Exempts aquaculture research from the aquarium fish requirements
Water and Land passed as amended 1/31 – Deferred by Agriculture and Environment - Senate did NOT approve
NEW JERSEY S581 Establishes offense of reckless trespass involving wild animals; establishes penalties; establishes liability for resulting harm to wild animal.
Creates offense of reckless trespassing involving wild animals
Judiciary
VERMONT H.597 An act relating to the collection, sale, and possession of wildlife
- Gives Commissioner authority to adopt rules regarding reptiles and amphibians, which can include: 1) prohibiting possessing and import if threat to species or ecosystems including prohibited and restricted lists, 2) providing waiver for currently owned prohibited species, 3) prohibiting take and collection, 4) establishing open season, 5) establishing daily, season, and possession limits, 6) establishing territorial limits under rule, 7) prescribing manner and means of take, 8) establishing restrictions based on physical distinction, and 8) designating Wildlife Management Units
- Adds reptiles and amphibians to those species that cannot be brought into, transported into or within or through, or possessed with Commissioner authorization
- Bans take, collection, possession, sale, import and export of wild birds and animals and parts for commercial purposes without authorization by Board rules, Commissioner rules, or permit
- Bans take, possession, or collection of reptiles and amphibians unless authorized by Commissioner rules or permit – penalty is same as big game violation
1st reading - Environment and Energy – Meeting 2/15 – Removed – Meeting 2/16
HAWAII HB901RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF AQUATIC MAMMALS.
Enacts “Protecting Aquatic Mammals From Living in Pools or Restraints (PROTECT FLIPR): A Cetacean Display Ban Act" that bans exhibiting captive cetaceans
1st reading – Water & Land – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK A00400Relates to the sale of birds by pet dealers when such birds have not yet been fully weaned
Requires pet dealers selling unweaned birds to disclose such fact to buyer, provide hand-feeding training unless already experienced, and buyer agrees in writing to provide bird for inspection and weighing weekly until weened
Agriculture – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK S00589Prohibiting the taking of non-native big game mammals in a fenced or other area from which there is no means for such mammal to escape
Replaces ban on take of non-native big game mammals in containers on less than 10 acres with a ban on take in any cage or container along with in fenced areas
Environmental Conservation – CARRIED INTO 2024
WASB 6128 Prohibiting the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts.
Bans covered animals in traveling animal acts
DEAD
NEW YORK A00518Prohibits the possession and transport of certain animals and body parts thereof at airports and port facilities owned or operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
BANS import, export, shipment, receipt, possession, process, sale, offer for sale, and transport of priority species at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey airport or port authority
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK S01459Relates to the provision of financial assistance to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums and other cultural institutions located in low-income urban, suburban or rural communities
Requires creating museum and cultural organization education grant program to award grants to establish or improve education programs in museums and cultural organizations to improve student performance in school
Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII HB544 SB633 Relating to Regulation of Importation.
Requires Plant and Animal Declaration Form for importation to be distributed, completed and submitted electronically
HB - 1st reading –Passed Agriculture w/HD1 2/10 – 2nd reading – Finance – CARRIED INTO 2024
SB - 1st reading - Agriculture and Environment – CARRIED INTO 2024
VERMONT H.410 An act relating to rabies vaccination certificate requirements for domestic pet or wolf-hybrid licensure
Requires rabies certificate for domestic dog or wolf hybrid to include signature of veterinarian, owner name and address, species, sex, age, color, and primary breed and vaccination date and expiration
1st reading - Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK A00584 S03302Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products
Bans import, export, transport, procession, sale, offer for sale, purchase, trade, barter, distribution or possession of part of product of an African elephant, African leopard, African lion, black rhino, white rhino, African giraffe
AB - Environmental Conservation – CARRIED INTO 2024
S - CARRIED INTO 2024 – Passed Senate 4/9 – House Environmental Conservation
HAWAII HB89 SB114 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.
Requires department to create assessment and approval process for import and transport of aquatic livestock
HB – 1st reading – Passed Agriculture as amended 2/8 – Passed Economic Development with HD1 2/8 – 2nd reading – CPC – CARRIED INTO 2024
SB - 1st reading – Passed Agriculture 2/3 – 2nd reading – Judiciary – CARRIED INTO 2024
HAWAII HB769 SB94 RELATING TO SPECIAL ACTIVITY PERMITS.
Requires approving or denying a permit for activities related to science, education, management, or propagation of aquatic resources within 90 days
HB - 1st reading – Water & Land – CARRIED INTO 2024
SB - Passed Senate w/SD1 & SD2 3/7 – House 1st reading – Passed Water & Land w/HD1 3/16 – Finance – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW MEXICO HB 59 RAISING QUAIL WITHOUT A PERMIT
- Exempts domestic strain of quail from the definition of game birds
- Allows raising quail for meat or eggs without a permit
DEAD
HAWAII SB771 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Adds new penalty for violating law requiring aquarium permit to take fish for aquarium purposes - $200 1st offense, $400 for 2nd, $1000 per additional with separate offense per specimen
1st reading - Water and Land – CARRIED INTO 2024
MASSACHUSETTS S 2189An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows
Bans participation of covered animal in traveling animal acts
Accompanied by H3245
FLORIDA HB 1033 Animals
Expands ban on keeping, possessing, importing, selling, bartering, trading, and breeding green iguanas to all iguanas
HB – FAILED IN 2023
DEAD
NEW YORK A00506Relates to prohibitions on circus performances
Requires attorney general to file injunction against circus from performing in state for 2 years IF within last 2 years: 1) it or owner, agent, employee, or representative were cited by USDA for deficiency in care or handling of animals, received official notice of warning, or entered into a stipulation, consent decree, or settlement with USDA relating to care or handling OR 2) guilty of state animal cruelty or neglect law or pled guilty to another charge instead or charge was not dismissed on merits
Economic Development – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK S01949Relates to prohibiting the sale, trade or bartering or possession with intent to sell, trade or barter of certain wild animals or wild animal products and to the penalties imposed therefor
Adds trade, barter and possession with intent to sell, trade or barter to activities prohibited with species listed in 11-0536; adds giraffe
Environmental Conservation – CARRIED INTO 2024
NEW YORK A00508Relates to prohibiting the state's participation in artificial pheasant propagation activities
- BANS state departments, divisions and political subdivisions from hatching, breeding, rearing, propagating, possessing, purchasing, distributing, transporting, selling, exchanging, or giving away artificially propagated pheasants or to support programs or activities for artificially propagated pheasants
- Requires all current state owned or operated facilities to close
Environmental Conservation – CARRIED INTO 2024
OKLAHOMA HB 2719Animals; Oklahoma Endangered Species Act of 2023; effective date.
Unknown (shell bill)
1st & 2nd reading – Rules – CARRIED INTO 2024
VERMONT H.567 An act relating to the sale of dogs, cats, and wolf-hybrids by pet shops
Bans selling cats, dogs, and wolf hybrids at pet shops
1st reading - Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry - Meeting 1/31 – Meeting 3/27 – Meeting 4/3 – Meeting 4/5 – Meeting 4/10 - Meeting 4/11 – Meeting 4/16
NEW YORKA06836S06211 Relates to wild or exotic animals
Adds new animals to the wild and exotic animal list which are banned to possess, harbor sell, barter, transfer exchange and import as pets
Environmental Conservation – Amended 5/19 – CARRIED INTO 2024 – Amended 4/19
Passed Senate 4/9 – House Environmental Conservation
ILLINOIS HB3257 DYED HERMIT CRAB, GOLDFISH
Adds hermit crabs and goldfish to those animals for which the sale, barter and giving away as a pet or novelty if dyed is banned
Passed House 4/26 – Senate 1st reading – Assignments – CARRIED INTO 2024
VERMONT H.587 An act relating to enforcement of fish and wildlife violations
Creates big game violation which includes the big game, threatened or endangered species, and trade in covered animal parts or products already covered plus criminal suspensions, interference with hunting, fishing, or trapping, and illegal commercial importation or possession of wild animals
1st reading - Environment and Energy – Hearing 2/15 – Removed from hearing – Meeting 2/16
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