Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act”.
Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act
A BILL
To amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
by redesignating subsections (a) through (k) as subsections (b) through (l), respectively;
by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) the following:
“(a) Breed—The term “breed” means to facilitate the propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or to fail to prevent the propagation or reproduction, of a prohibited wildlife species or other animal.”
by adding at the end the following:
“(m) Traveling circus—The term “traveling circus” means an exhibitor holding a Class C license issued under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.).”
Conforming amendments—
Consolidated farm and rural development act— Section 349(a)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1997(a)(3)) is amended by striking “section 2(a)” and inserting “section 2(b)”.
Lacey act amendments of 1981—
Section 3(e)(2)(C) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372(e)(2)(C)) is amended—
in clause (ii), by striking “section 2(g)” and inserting “section 2(h)”; and
in clause (iii), by striking “section 2(g)” and inserting “section 2(h)”.
Section 7(c) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376(c)) is amended by striking “section 2(f)(2)(A)” and inserting “section 2(g)(2)(A)”.
Sec. 3 Prohibitions
Section 3(a) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting “; or”;
in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking “; or” and inserting a semicolon; and
by striking subparagraph (C);
in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), by striking “; or” and inserting a semicolon;
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
“(4) subject to subsection (e), to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce, or to breed or possess, any prohibited wildlife species; or”
in paragraph (5), (as so redesignated), by striking “(1) through (3)” and inserting “(1) through (4)”.
Sec. 4 Nonapplicability of offenses
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) In general—Subsection (a)(4) shall not apply to—
“(A) the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, purchase, breeding, or possession of an animal of a prohibited wildlife species, by any person that, under any regulation promulgated under paragraph (3), is described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (F) of paragraph (2) with respect to that species; and
“(B) the transportation or possession of an animal of a prohibited wildlife species, by a person that, under any regulation promulgated under paragraph (3), is described in paragraph (2)(E) with respect to that species.”
in paragraph (2)—
by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
“(A) is an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or certified related facilities that coordinate with an AZA Species Survival Plan for breeding of species listed as threatened or endangered pursuant to the provision of law codified at section 1533 of title 16, United States Code;”
in subparagraph (C)—
by striking “is an accredited” and inserting “is a”;
in clause (iii), by striking “and”;
in clause (iv), by striking “or” and inserting “and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(v) does not allow the transportation and display of animals off-site;”
in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; or”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(E) is in possession of any animal of any prohibited wildlife species, that—
“(i) is born before the date of enactment of this subparagraph; and
“(ii) not later than 180 days after the date on which regulations are promulgated implementing this subparagraph, is registered with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; or
“(F) is a traveling circus that—
“(i) regularly travels in interstate commerce to conduct performances featuring live prohibited wildlife species and multiple trained human entertainers, including clowns and acrobats;
“(ii) does not allow members of the public to be in direct contact with or unsafe proximity to a prohibited wildlife species of any age, including offering photographic opportunities or interactive sessions; and
“(iii) during the 3-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, has not been determined by the Secretary of Agriculture to have violated the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) by reason of jeopardizing the health and well-being of a prohibited wildlife species, including jeopardizing such health and well-being by providing—
“(I) inappropriate veterinary care;
“(II) inappropriate handling of the species causing stress or trauma to the species or a threat to public safety; or
“(III) insufficient food, water, shelter, or space.”
Regulations— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall promulgate regulations implementing the amendments made by this section.
Sec. 5 Penalties
Civil penalties— Section 4(a)(1) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(1)) is amended—
by inserting “(a)(4),” after “subsections”; and
by striking “subsection (d)” and inserting “subsection (a)(4), (d),”.
Criminal penalties— Section 4(d) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3373(d)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “or” after the comma at the end;
in subparagraph (B), by adding “or” after the comma at the end; and
by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
“(C) knowingly violates section 3(a)(4),”
in paragraph (2), by inserting “, or in the exercise of due care should know that the conduct violates section 3(a)(4),” after “treaty or regulation”.
Sec. 6 Forfeiture
Section 5(a) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3374(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking “or purchased” and inserting “purchased, bred, or possessed,”; and
in paragraph (2)—
by striking “or purchasing” and inserting “purchasing, breeding, or possessing,” and
by striking “sale or purchase of, the offer of sale or purchase of, or the intent to sell or purchase” and inserting “importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, purchase, breeding, or possession of, the offer of importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, purchase, breeding, or possession of, or the intent to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, purchase, breed, or possess”.