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


Environmental Conservation - Amended 5/8

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

HAWAII SB994 RELATING TO UHU.

Bans take of parrotfish from state waters

FAILED IN 2023

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

HAWAII SB818 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Transfers the aquaculture program from Department of Agriculture to Agribusiness Development Corporation

FAILED IN 2023

NEW YORK A03545  S05898Prohibits the administration of psychoactive drugs to an animal in a zoo in order to allow another animal to procreate with such animal.

Prohibits using psychoactive drug to animal in zoos for it to procreate with another animal

Environmental Conservation


CONNECTICUT HB05113 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE, BARTER OR OFFERING FOR SALE OR BARTER OF DEAD KANGAROOS AND ANY PRODUCT MADE FROM DEAD KANGAROOS. 

Creates Kangaroo Protection Act of 2023 and BANS sale and barter of dead kangaroos and products


Joint Commerce

CONNECTICUT HB05160 AN ACT CONCERNING THE HABITUATION OF BLACK BEARS.

Creates new guidelines involving rehabilitating orphaned bear cubs and yearling bears


Joint Environment

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

WAHB 1157  SB 5148 Prohibiting the display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement.

Bans display of wild or exotic animals on public or private property except for educational purposes or AZA or association of sanctuaries


 FAILED IN 2023

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

HAWAII SB648 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Allows University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to establish aquaculture disease diagnostic laboratory

FAILED IN 2023

MINNESOTA HF 1202  SF 1526 FARMED CERVIDAE

 Various revisions related to farmed cervidae

HF -Passed Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy as amended 2/13 – Passed Agriculture Finance and Policy 2/27 - Passed Judiciary Finance and Civil Law 3/27 as amended - Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

SF - 1st reading - Passed Environment, Climate, and Legacy as amended 3/13 – Passed Judiciary & Public Safety as amended 3/27 - Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development – Hearing 4/17 no action

 OREGON SB 89 Requires State Department of Agriculture to study aquaculture.

Requires Department to study aquaculture and submit a report along with any recommended legislation to interim committees by 9/15/24

1st reading – Natural Resources – Hearing 1/25 – Public Hearing 2/8

MAINE HP 32  An Act to Amend Maine's Endangered and Threatened Species List

  • Updates scientific names
  • Removes box turtle and rapids clubtail from endangered
  • Replaces purple lesser fritillary with arctic fritillary
  • Replaces Frigga fritillary with saga subspecies
  • Adds Ashton's cuckoo bumble bee and saltmarsh sparrow to endangeredAdds Bank swallow, Bicknell's thrush, Blackpoll warbler, Cliff swallow, Margined tiger beetle, tricolored bat to threatened

Signed into law 5/8/23 – Effective Immediately

HAWAII SB519 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Creates Aquaculture Advisory Committee


FAILED IN 2023

ARIZONA HB2741 unlawful kangaroo exchange 

BANS purchase, receipt, sale, transfer and exchange of dead red, Eastern gray and Western gray kangaroo and wallaroo parts and products for commercial purposes


1st reading – 2nd reading - Judiciary

IDAHO H0156 Classify Rattlesnakes as Predatory Wildlife

Re-classifies rattlesnakes as predatory wildlife

Signed into law 3/24/23 – Effective 7/1/23

FLORIDA HB 1161  SB 1266 VENOMOUS REPTILES

  • Revises penalty for knowingly releasing or allowing to escape through gross negligence a venomous reptile from Level Three violation to a Level 4 Violation
  • Creates penalty for conducting activities without a special permit as a Level 4 Violation

HB – Passed House 4/20 – Passed Senate 5/1

SB - Substituted

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

Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development

OREGON HB 3214 Prohibits person from using specified types of animals in traveling animal act.

Bans using animal in traveling animal act


1st reading – Without recommendation Economic Development and Small Business 3/2 – Judiciary – Hearing 3/16

NEW YORK S03185Relates to the management of horseshoe crabs; and provides for the repeal of certain

Bans commercial sale and possession with intent to sell of horseshoe crabs and eggs

Environmental Conservation

NEW YORK S06211Relates 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 and divides wild animals into wild animals (native) and exotic animals (nonnative)


Passed Environmental Conservation 4/17 – 1st reading – 2nd reading – 3rd reading & amended

MINNESOTA HF 1587  SF 2128OMNIBUS AGRICULTURE POLICY BILL.

  • Removes commercial permits for restricted species for those who had them in 1993 (likely none left)
  • Removes 2 day slaughter for human consumption exemption
  • Replaces escapes with release in terms of notification
  • Adds that enforcement can also be by commissioner or designee
  • Removes certification for grandfathered animals owned in 1993 (likely none left)
  • Replaces bond or deposit with liability insurance or security bondReplaces the requirement for permit fee with MAY issue fee


HF - Passed House as amended 4/20 – Passed Senate 4/26

SF - Substituted

MONTANA BDR 230 Generally revise laws related to exotic animal ownership

 Unknown


DEAD

RHODE ISLAND HB 5703 AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- TRAVELING CIRCUSES PROHIBITED

Bans conducting, sponsoring, walking, exhibiting or operating a traveling show or circus with live wild or other exotic animals on public or private land in the state- Excludes domestic animals like dog, cat, horse, donkey, farm animal AND educational exhibits


1st reading - Judiciary – Hearing 2/24 - Held for further study

IDAHO S1084  WILDLIFE – Adds to existing law to provide an exception to requirements for wildlife held captive in Idaho.

Excludes animals in USDA Class C exhibit from the definition of wildlife AND adds to those not needing a wildlife license

Signed into law 3/27/23 – Effective Immediately

CALIFORNIA AB-1008 Wildlife: Fish and Game Commission: wild animals.

Requires rules regarding wild animals to include requiring proof of liability insurance and surety bond in amount determined by commission AND permits to be renewed every 5 years


Amended 3/13 to become a tree bill

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

ILLINOIS HB 0062 ANIMALS-TECH

Amends Herptiles-Herp Act (shell bill)


1st reading – Back to Rules

CONNECTICUT HB05156 AN ACT CONCERNING CAPTIVE CETACEANS IN CONNECTICUT. 

Bans sale, trade, exchange, and breeding of cetaceans AND limits viewing time to 1 hour/day


Joint Environment

ILLINOIS SB 1890 SNAPPING TURTLES-TRAP

Amends Herptiles Act by allowing taking snapping turtles by trap notwithstanding any rule


1st reading – Back to Assignments

ILLINOIS HB3695  CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACT

Adds all exotic animals to the ban on traveling acts

1st reading – Back to Rules

NEW MEXICO SB 134NO EXOTIC ANIMALS IN TRAVELING PERFORMANCES

Bans using exotic animals in traveling performance except rodeo, animal rehabilitation program, animal education or conservation program by accredited by local or national authority

DEAD

MASSACHUSETTS H 3785  An Act relative to formalizing the category of endangered species

Creates habitat conservation plan for piping plover

Environment and Natural Resources

MINNESOTA HF 1401 SF 1484 FARMED WHITE-TAILED DEER

 Various revisions related to farmed white-tailed deer


HF - 1st reading - Agriculture Finance and Policy

SF - 1st reading - Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development

VAHB 2331Animal care; seizure of animals; ZOOS.

Requires contacting state veterinarian or rep for advice before seizing zoo animals


DEAD

WVHB 2783To remove primates as a dangerous wild animal

Removes primates from list of animals that the dangerous wild animals list may include


FAILED IN 2023

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


FAILED IN 2023

NEW JERSEY S2922Establishes offense of reckless trespass involving wild animals; establishes penalties; establishes liability for resulting harm to wild animal.


Creates new offense of reckless trespass involving wild animal if someone enters cage or enclosure without permission and harasses or is attacked by it


Judiciary - Carried into 2023

HAWAII SB518 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Requires University of Hawaii to develop 5 year plan to grow the aquaculture industry

FAILED IN 2023

CONNECTICUT HB05157 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE AND TRADE OF SHARK FINS IN THE STATE. 

Bans sale and trade of shark fins


Joint Environment

2023 STATE BILLS

MONTANA BDR 1853 Generally revise aquatic invasive species laws

            Unknown


DEAD

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 2023 Legislative Session. It is updated as of 5/15/23.

NEW JERSEY S3291"Kangaroo Protection Act of 2022"; prohibits sale or barter, or offering for sale or barter, of dead kangaroos and any products made from kangaroo.


Bans sale and barter of dead kangaroos and products


Environment & Energy - Carried into 2023

HAWAII HB746RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Switches aquaculture program from department of agriculture's plant quarantine branch to animal industry division

FAILED IN 2023

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 - FAILED IN 2023

SB - FAILED IN 2023

MONTANA BDR 2025 Transfer Montana Aquatic Invasive Species Act to DNRC

Transfers authority over aquatic invasive species to DNRC


DEAD

TEXAS  HB 3482Relating to the possession of dangerous wild animals and live nonindigenous snakes in certain counties and municipalities; increasing criminal penalties.

  • Prohibits animal registration agency from issuing certificate of registration for dangerous wild animal or nonindigenous snake if it violates county or municipal law or if snake is venomous and no anti-venom at hospital within 50 miles
  • Requires animal registration agency to notify relevant county or city upon issuing COR
  • Allows officer or agency of county or city to do inspections of dangerous wild animals or nonindigenous snakes

Passed Culture, Recreation & Tourism as substituted 4/13

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 - FAILED IN 2023

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

FAILED IN 2023

ILLINOIS HB 1629 DNR-MIGRATORY BIRDS

Excludes Eurasian collared dove and ringed turtle-dove from protected wildlife AND Adds Virginia and sora rails, Wilson’s snipe, woodcock, mourning & white-winged dove to migratory game birds AND removes from nongame birds


Passed House 3/16 – Passed Senate 5/4

TEXAS  SB 312Relating to the assessment, destruction, disposal, and release of certain deer.

Revises relating to release of breeder deer


Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

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 -FAILED IN 2023

SB - FAILED IN 2023

OREGON HB 2904 Requires institution or research facility that performs research, testing or studies involving nonhuman primates to annually report certain information to State Veterinarian.

Requires research facility or institution that provides research, testing or studies involving nonhuman primates to submit annual report to State Veterinarian

Passed House 4/13 – Senate 1st reading – Passed Judiciary 5/3

ILLINOIS HB3087 DISEASED ANIMALS-PROHIBITIONS

Allows department to issue temporary 30 day ban on the sale, movement and exhibition of certain animals to prevent or reduce contamination or disease AND extend it in increments of 30 days as necessary

Passed House 3/22 – Passed Senate 5/11

OREGON SB 764 Creates crime of unlawful kangaroo exchange.

Create crime of unlawful kangaroo exchange for those that purchase, receive, sell, transfer or exchange dead kangaroos or products for commercial purposes

1st reading – Judiciary

CONNECTICUT HB05123 AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN ANIMALS IN TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS. 

Bans participation of covered animal in traveling animal act
except non-mobile permanent institution or other fixed facility - Penalty Class A misdemeanor

Joint Environment - Drafted as committee bill - Hearing 2/27 – Meeting 3/10 – no action taken

ILLINOIS HB 0933 WILDLIFE-TECH

Amends Endangered Species Protection Act (shell bill)


1st reading – Back to Rules

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 - FAILED in 2023
                     SB - FAILED in 2023

WAHB 1153Prohibiting octopus farming.

Bans octopus aquaculture in the state


 FAILED IN 2023

WAHB 1034  SB 5161 Prohibiting fur farming.

  • Bans fur farming of mink, marten, fox or chinchilla
  • Exempts federal authorized activities and federally recognized Indian tribeCreates fur farm transition grant program to help the transition of fur farms closing


FAILED IN 2023

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

Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development

MINNESOTA HF 234  SF 612 A bill for an act relating to game and fish; modifying provisions for taking turtles

 Bans renewals of and new turtle seller’s licenses and repeals turtle seller’s license and turtle seller’s apprentice license and removes related take methods and license requirements

HF - Passed Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy as amended 1/26 – Ways & Means

SF - 1st reading - Environment, Climate, and Legacy – Amended – Possibly to be added to omnibus bill


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

FAILED IN 2023

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

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

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

Environmental Conservation

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

HAWAII HB544  SB633 Relating to Regulation of Importation.

Requires Plant and Animal Declaration Form for importation to be distributed, completed and submitted electronically

HB - FAILED IN 2023

SB - FAILED IN 2023

ILLINOIS SB 1883  CRIM CD-WILD ANIMALS

Bans direct public contact with covered animal (bear or nonhuman primate) unless exempt

Passed Senate w/ Amendment 1 3/24 – Passed House 5/9

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

 FAILED IN 2023

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

S - Passed Senate 3/13 – House Environmental Conservation

HAWAII HB489  SB114 RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Requires department to create assessment and approval process for import and transport of aquatic livestock

HB – FAILED IN 2023

SB - FAILED IN 2023

VAHB 2483Elephants; pain-inflicting training tools prohibited, penalty.

Bans use, brandishing, exhibit and display of bullhooks, ankus, baseball bat, ax handle, pitchfork or similar or tool to inflict pain in presence of elephant

DEAD

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 - FAILED IN 2023

SB - FAILED IN 2023

OREGON SB 65 Directs State Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish program to purchase aquaculture products from private aquaculture facilities.

Requires department to establish program to purchase aquaculture products from private aquaculture facilities including using 20% of trout hatchery money to purchase trout from them

1st reading - Natural Resources – Hearing 1/25 –

Public Hearing 2/8

ILLINOIS SB2045 DNR-MIGRATORY BIRDS

Excludes Eurasian collared dove and ringed turtle-dove from protected wildlife AND Adds Virginia and sora rails, Wilson’s snipe, woodcock, mourning & white-winged dove to migratory game birds AND removes from nongame birds


1st reading – Back to Assignments

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

FAILED IN 2023

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

Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development

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

ILLINOIS SB2093 DISEASED ANIMALS-PROHIBITIONS

Allows department to issue temporary 30 day ban on the sale, movement and exhibition of certain animals to prevent or reduce contamination or disease AND extend it in increments of 30 days as necessary


1st reading – Back to Assignments

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

WiSconsinAB124  SB126Relating to: the definition of public zoos and aquariums for purposes of captive wildlife regulations. (FE)

Adds ZAA zoos and aquariums to the exemption for captive wildlife


1st reading - Tourism

1st reading - Labor, Regulatory Reform, Veterans and Military Affairs

NEW YORK S04363CIRCUS AND TRAVELING ACTS

  • Bans issuing permit or license for a circus or traveling animal act to exhibit wild animals
  • Exempts AZA and wildlife sanctuaries
  • Effective 12/31/24

Environmental Conservation

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

OKLAHOMA HB 2719Animals; Oklahoma Endangered Species Act of 2023; effective date.

Unknown (shell bill)

1st & 2nd reading - Rules

KANSAS SB 3 Designating Silvisaurus condrayi as the official state land fossil.

 Names listed dinosaur as official state land fossil


Signed into law 4/24/23 – Effective after published in statute book

UTAH HB 30 Wildlife Resources Code Recodification

Renumbers the code & makes technical and a few other changes


Signed into law 3/14/23

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

UTAH HB 31 Wildlife Resources Recodification Cross References

Updates cross references and makes a few other minor corrections


Signed into law 3/13/23