REXANO OPPOSES "Haley's Act" HR 1947 IH (110th Congress)
THOMAS The Library of Congress
Legislation 2008 and before
HR 1947 was originally introduced in 109th Congress (2005-2006) as H.R.5909 IH
Federal Government Attack on Big Cats; REXANO Objects
to Attempts to Outlaw Touching a Tiger or Lion Cub
Big Cats: Big Threat or Cuddly Kitten?
June 11, 2007-REXANO interview on CatChannel
USDA Letter December 2007
To oppose, contact:
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
House Committee on Agriculture
1301 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2171
Fax: 202-225-8510
Email:
agriculture@mail.house.gov
Haley's Act (Introduced in House)
HR 1947 IH
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1947
To promote public safety and improve the welfare of captive big cats, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 19, 2007
Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas (for herself, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. MORAN of Kansas,
Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California,
Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. FRANK
of Massachusetts, and Mr. STARK) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Agriculture
H.R.1947
Sponsor: Rep Boyda, Nancy E. [KS-2] (introduced 4/19/2007) Cosponsors (16)
Latest Major Action: 5/4/2007 House
committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from
USDA.
COMMITTEE(S):
Committee/Subcommittee: Activity:
House Agriculture Referral, In Committee
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Referral
A BILL
To promote public safety and improve the welfare of captive big cats, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as `Haley's Act'.
SEC. 2. BIG CATS.
(a) Definitions- Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2132) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
`(p) The term `big cat' means any live species of lion, tiger, leopard,
cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species.
`(q) The term `direct contact' means any situation in which an individual
may potentially touch or otherwise come into physical contact with any live
specimen of a species.'.
(b) Applicability of State Law- Section 3 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2133) is
amended by adding at the end the following: `The Secretary may deny or
revoke a license based on a recommendation from the appropriate State or
local officials with jurisdiction over captive wildlife.'
(c) Public Safety- Section 13(a)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the final period and inserting `; and';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(C) to provide for public safety.'.
(d) Increased Fines- Section 19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2149) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking `$2,500' and inserting `$10,000'; and
(B) in the seventh sentence, by striking `shall be subject to' and all that
follows through `each offense' and inserting `shall be subject to a civil
penalty of $5,000 for each offense' ; and
(2) in subsection (d) in the first sentence, by striking `$2,500' and
inserting `$10,000'.
(e) Prohibition on Direct Contact With Big Cats- Such Act is further amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
`SEC. 30. PROHIBITION ON DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN PUBLIC AND BIG CATS.
`(a) In General- Subject to subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for an
exhibitor or dealer licensed by the Secretary under this Act to allow direct
contact between a big cat and a member of the public.
`(b) Exception-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (a) shall not apply to an exhibitor that is a
zoo, as determined by the Secretary.
`(2) CONSIDERATION OF ACCREDITATION- In determining whether an exhibitor is
a zoo under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider--
`(A) whether the exhibitor is accredited by, and in good standing with, the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and
`(B) whether the exhibitor operates with sufficient regard for public
safety.'.
(f) Regulations-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations pursuant to
section 21 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2151) to implement the
amendments made by this Act.
(2) RESTRICTION ON LICENSES-
(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture may not grant a license under
section 3 of such Act to a dealer or exhibitor that possesses or intends to
possess a big cat until the regulations described in paragraph (1) have been
issued.
(B) EXCEPTION- The restriction described in subparagraph (A) shall not apply
to the renewal of an existing license.