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Notable New Bills SOUTH CAROLINA SC H 3937 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/3937_20250206.htm Makes it illegal to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell within this State. Current owners can get permits and must register their animals within 90 days of the effective date. Zoos and other exhibitors are eligible for permits. However AZA zoos are exempt.
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New Regulations KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE |
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Existing Bills ARIZONA CONNECTICUT HAWAII MASSACHUSETTS MA HD 2591 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/HD2591 Allows authorities to immediately remove an animal in an emergency situation from the animal’s present location in order to take custody of the animal if they believe that the animal is injured or in imminent danger of physical harm. MA SD 1450 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/SD1450 Prohibits the harassment of animals.Establishes responsibilities for animals' guardians. Requires any business representing itself as an animal protective entity – whether sanctuary, rescue, boarding/training/pet-sitting, or animal society - to be subject to quarterly inspections or records review. Also prohibits animal fights and any person who captures, breeds, cages, transports or sells any animal to a person or commercial entity for the purpose of exhibition, entertainment, curiosity, or dismemberment. Defines terms such as animal torture and establishes cruelty offenses.
MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MONTANA NEW JERSEY NJ S 581 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3989 Establishes offense of reckless trespass involving a wild animal if the person enters a cage, enclosure, or other area where a wild or zoo animal is housed or otherwise contained and intentionally or unintentionally harasses the wild animal, or is attacked by the wild animal. NJ S 3989 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3989 Expands list of animals prohibited from use in traveling animal acts; limits certain exceptions to apply only at educational institutions.
NEW YORK NY S 3628 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S03629&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal act - bans kangaroos, wallabies, bears, all cats except for domestic, and non-human primates from any and all exhibitions including petting zoos and carnivals. NY AB 1616 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01616&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products. NY A 1835 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01835&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Prohibits the use of primates in entertainment acts. Provides an exception for AZA zoos. NY AB 1685 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01685&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Prohibits the breeding, sale, trade, purchase, importation, and exportation of red-eared slider turtles. NY AB 1804 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01804&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Defines wild and exotic animals. Adds new animals to the list of wild and exotic animals. Allows people to possess or harbor a listed exotic animal provided that they have not been convicted of animal cruelty or are under an order not to possess animals. Sloth store bill. Same as SB 252. NY S 2296 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S02296&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y NY AB 640 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00640&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Creates a court-appointed advocate for animals. NY SB 252 https://legiscan.com/NY/text/S00252/2025 Provides that "wild animal" means indigenous, non-domesticated animals native to the country in which they live and "exotic animal" means a wild animal with an origin of a different continent; adds certain wild or exotic animals to the list of non-companion animals. This is the new version of the “sloth store” bill from 2024. NY AB 107 https://s3.amazonaws.com/fn-document-service/file-by-sha384/af2f857a528d6b8671610edfd62e30ead487a5c90a2c3930c600163001456fc36f398d1c188d7c0c2e23ae1ab6544d3e Establishes that animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear; establishes an animal can be a victim of a crime.
VIRGINIA VA SB 1125 https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1125 Prohibits propagation of wildlife without a permit, as well as premature separation of young wildlife and hybridization of species. AZA is identified as a resource and authority on separation practices and AZA facilities are exempt from the prohibition of hybridization. Amended and passed on the floor of the Senate to remove permit requirement, allow exceptions for early separation, remove reference to breeding of subspecies and to remove references to and exception for AZA facilities. Pending in House. VA HB 1768 https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1768 Prohibits the possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of nonhuman primates. Contains exemptions for certain institutions, including federal Class C exhibitors, although that exemption has conditions attached to it. None of those conditions are attached to any of the other exempt facilities. Failed in subcommittee.
WASHINGTON WA SB 5065 https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Htm/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5065.htm Prohibiting the use of certain animals (elephants. Big cats, primates and bears) in traveling animal acts. Amended on the Senate Floor to exempt performances that take place at a nonmobile, permanent institution or other fixed facility licensed by the USDA and conducted by the nonmobile institution or fixed facility. Passed Senate as amended.
WYOMING |
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FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS |
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