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
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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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