HR263: Big Cat Public Safety Act
117th Congress (2021–2023) · House bill · Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
This page covers HR263 in the 117th Congress. Bill numbers start over every Congress, so HR263 in another Congress is a different bill.
117th Congress (2021–2023) · House bill · Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
This page covers HR263 in the 117th Congress. Bill numbers start over every Congress, so HR263 in another Congress is a different bill.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Roll-call votes | 1 |
| Chamber | House |
| Latest vote | 2022-07-29: Passed |
| Latest action | 2022-12-20: Became Public Law No: 117-243. |
| Policy area | Animals |
| Official record | Congress.gov |
Big Cat Public Safety Act This act revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U. S. border. However, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries. (Sec. 3) The act expands the Lacey Act prohibitions to include a prohibition on possessing or breeding big cats. Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. Owners of big cats that were born before this act's enactment may keep their big cats, but the owners must register them with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The act modifies the list of entities that are exempt from prohibitions to export, buy, sell, transport, receive, acquire, possess, or breed big cats. The modified list includes exemptions for entities or facilities exhibiting animals to the public if they (1) hold a Class C license in good standing under the Animal Welfare Act, and (2) do not allow individuals to come into direct physical contact with big cats. However, direct contact is allowed if the individual is a trained professional, a veterinarian, or directly supporting conservation programs that do not involve commercial activities and meet other specified…
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships, Civil actions and liability, Crimes against animals and natural resources, Mammals, Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers, Trade restrictions, Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Every recorded vote on this bill, newest first, with a link to the official tally. Member-by-member positions are on each member’s profile.
| Date | Chamber | Question | Result | Yea | Nay | Not voting | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-29 | House | Yea-and-Nay | Passed | 190 | 100 | 6 | Official tally |
HR263 (Big Cat Public Safety Act) was introduced in the 117th Congress (2021–2023) by Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5].
On 2022-12-20: Became Public Law No: 117-243.
1 recorded vote in the 117th Congress. The most recent, on 2022-07-29, was "Yea-and-Nay": Passed.