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There are 25 state legislatures that are currently in regular session with one in special session (Maine) and 24 out of session. States still in session include California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas. |
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New Bills TEXAS Existing Bills CALIFORNIA CA AB 892 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB892 Would prohibit public contact with any of the following species: Bears, Caracals, Elephants, Kangaroos, or any hybrid of a kangaroo, Non-human primates, Otters, Servals, Sloths or Wallaby, or any hybrid of a wallaby. The bill does allow direct contact by animal professionals, facility owners and TV and Film productions, among others. However the exceptions do not allow for any public contact whatsoever. ZAA OPPOSES. Committee hearing scheduled for April 8, 2025. Bill amended to add exemption for AZA facilities. ZAA and members planned to testify in opposition at the hearing. Bill pulled from the hearing agenda at request of the author. Now a “two year bill” which may come back up in January 2026. CA AB 1319 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1319 Requires the Fish and Game Commission to publish notice on its website when it has mailed notices to certain interested parties regarding the commencement of an evaluation to add, remove, or change the status of a species on the endangered species list. Amended to now require the Commision to implement emergency listings of California species negatively impacted by actions of the Federal Government under the Endangered Species Act, e.g., delisting. Passed out of the Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee. Pending in the Appropriations Committee.
COLORADO CO SB 168 https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-168 Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking Adds species that appear in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES Appendix I) to the wildlife covered under Colorado's wildlife trafficking laws. Passed the Senate. Passed the House and the Senate. Sent to Governor.
MASSACHUSETTS MA HB 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 SB 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 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. MA SB 1234 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1234 Among other things, would make any person who captures, breeds, transports or sells any animal to a person or entity for the purpose of exhibition, entertainment, or curiosity liable for a fine, term of imprisonment, or both. MA HB 127 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H127 Prohibits the transport, sale, or possession of any octopus that is not wild caught or propagated, harvested, or cultivated for research or commercial purposes. Prohibits aquaculture of any octopus for the purpose of human consumption. MA HB 2253 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2253 Exempts publicly and privately owned zoos, research institutions, and horse and cattle auctions from certain licensing and inspection provisions intended for pet shops. Exemption for zoos currently exists under current law. Bill would remove certain privately owned animals from the exemption. MA HB 127 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H127 Prohibits the transport, sale, or possession of any octopus that is not wild caught or propagated, harvested, or cultivated for research or commercial purposes. Prohibits a person from engaging in the aquaculture of any octopus for the purpose of human consumption. Hearing scheduled for May 13, 2025.
MINNESOTA NEVADA NV AB 136 https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/12055/ Requires a commercial establishment that sells access to live animals to interact with the public to post a sign on premises displaying a telephone number a person can contact if they believe an animal is being subjected to cruelty. Amended to exempt an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums from the signage requirement and passed the Assembly on April 17. Passed out of the Senate committee without amendment. ZAA REQUESTED AMENDMENT.
NEW JERSEY NJ S 581 https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S581 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 SB 5014 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S05014&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. Same as AB 1616. Committee Hearing held 2/25/2025. Passed the Senate on April 8, 2025. 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. Same as SB 5014. NY S 3629 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. Does not apply to a performance at a permanent facility so long as the covered animal is at the facility for more than fourteen days. Committee hearing held 2/25/2025. Bill amended to remove any reference to time limits for performances at permanent facilities. Passed the Senate on April 8, 2025. ZAA requested amendments not included. NY AB 5850 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A05850&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y Same as SB 3629 (as amended). 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. Does not apply to a performance at a permanent facility. Hearing held and bill reported by the Environmental Conservation Committee. Referred to the Codes Committee April 2. ZAA requested amendments. NY AB 1835 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01835&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y NY SB 5721 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=S05721&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y Prohibits the use of primates in entertainment acts. Provides an exception for AZA zoos. ZAA OPPOSES AS INTRODUCED. Opposition letters submitted. NY AB 5947 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A05947&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Prohibits certain species of fish, bats, rodents. and primates, to be identified by the Department of Environmental Conservation from being imported into the state. Authorizes the department, based on likelihood of zoonotic transmission, to immediately suspend licenses for importation of certain species. Allows zoos and other facilities to petition the department for exemption from importation restrictions the department may impose, and gives the department authority to require petitioning facilities to demonstrate use of biosafety equipment or other protocols for handling restricted species. Would regulate the operation of live animal (“wet”) markets in the state. 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 S 6621 https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S06621&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y Prohibits the breeding, sale, trade, purchase, importation, and exportation of red-eared slider turtles. Same as NY AB 1685. 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. Passed the Senate on April 8, 2025. 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 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.
NORTH CAROLINA NC HB 293 https://ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H293v1.pdf Prohibits aquaculture of any species of octopus for human consumption. NC SB 573 https://ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S573 Amends animal cruelty laws to require all animals to have adequate shelter that protects an animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, direct sunlight, and adverse effects of cold. Requires shelter to be properly lighted and clean, and to not readily conduct heat when the ambient air temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Requires shelters to provide adequate space to allow animals freedom of movement. Defines animal as every living vertebrate in the classes Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, and Mammalia except humans.
PENNSYLVANIA PA HB 994 https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/text/PDF/2025/0/HB0994/PN1078 Would prohibit the sale or intent to sell any parts or products of a covered animal, including gametes and DNA of a covered animal: Baleen Whale, Bonobo, Dolphin, Tiger, Lion, Cheetah, Chimpanzee, Jaguar, Giraffe, Gorilla, Mammoth, Elephant, Hippopotamus, Orangutan, Mastodon, Pangolin, Polar Bear, Ray, Rhinoceros, Sea Turtle, Porpoise, or Shark. Provides exceptions, such as when incorporated as part of an antique or musical instrument or when used for bona fide scientific or educational purposes.
TEXAS TX SB 2846 https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB2846/2025 Relating to the control of disease in wildlife; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty. Transfers authority from Animal Health Commission to Parks and Wildlife. Amended to clarify that definition of “wildlife” includes only species indigenous to Texas that are not ordinarily domesticated and does not include exotic livestock as defined by the Agriculture Code. Passed the Senate as amended. TX HB 2439 https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB2439/2025 Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Agriculture. TX HB 5042 https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB5042/id/3173434 Relating to state preemption of and the effect of certain state health and safety laws on certain municipal and county regulations and include elephants in the definition of dangerous wild animal. Committee hearing held on April 14, 2024. TX HB 285 https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB285/2025 Relating to the prosecution of the offense of cruelty to non livestock animals. It is a defense to prosecution for alleged criminal negligence that the conduct occurred during the actual discharge of the actor's duties while employed as a veterinarian licensed or as a person assisting a veterinarian. Passed the House. Pending in committee in the Senate. TX SB 1673 https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/SB1673/2025 Relating to the prosecution of the offense of cruelty to non livestock animals. Requires psychological counseling of defendants.
Inactive Bills ARIZONA AZ SB 1048 https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/bills/SB1048P.htm Cruelty to working animals and narrows definition of working animals from previous versions to include only law enforcement and service animals. Entire bill was stricken and amended at committee. Now allows a county board of supervisors to receive any gift, bequest or devise. Passed Senate as amended. Further amended in the House. No longer relevant as amended.
CONNECTICUT HAWAII MICHIGAN MONTANA SOUTH CAROLINA 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. Further narrowing amendments made in the House Agriculture Committee. Passed By House And Senate As Amended. Vetoed by Governor. Veto sustained. ZAA OPPOSED AS INTRODUCED. 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 the subcommittee. ZAA OPPOSED AS INTRODUCED.
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. Passed by the House on April 9, 2025. Approved by the Governor. ENACTED.
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New Bills Existing Bills Animal Welfare Endangered Species/Conservation/Lacey Act Captive Primate Safety Act US HR 3199 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3199?s=1&r=1 US S 1594 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1594?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22primate%22%7D&s=1&r=2 Prohibits possession and breeding of nonhuman primates. Includes exemptions, including for USDA Class C Licensees with no additional restrictions. US HR 1897 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1897?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22WILDLIFE%22%7D&s=3&r=2 Would amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to optimize conservation through resource prioritization, incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands, provide for greater incentives to recover listed species, create greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species, streamline the permitting process for non native species, eliminate barriers to conservation, and restore congressional intent. ZAA SUPPORTS. US HR 102 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/102?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22endangered+species+act%22%7D&s=6&r=3 To amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, to prohibit certain types of financial assistance, and for other purposes. US HR 106 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/106?s=4&r=8&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22Endangered+species%5C%22%22%7D To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for improved precision in the listing, delisting, and downlisting of endangered species and potentially endangered species. US HR 181 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/181?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22endangered+species+act%22%7D&s=8&r=7 To amend the Endangered Species Act to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes. US HR 135 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/135?s=10&r=4&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22endangered+species+act%22%7D To designate the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. US HR 1934 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1934/text?s=7&r=3&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22%5C%22endangered+species%5C%22%22%7D Would prohibit all trophy hunting of any species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. US H.R. 2608 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2608/text?s=2&r=2 The Exotic Hoofstock Reform Act will delist non-native hoofstock species (Barasingha, Red Lechwe, Arabian Oryx, Eld’s Deer, Grevy’s Zebra, Gaur, Banteng, and Markhor) that are raised on exotic game ranches in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. US H.R. 1992 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1992?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22kangaroo%22%7D&s=9&r=1 Kangaroo Protection Act. Would prohibit the sale or import of products made from kangaroo parts.
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CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE REPORT ON ANIMAL WELFARE ACT ENFORCEMENT |
On Monday May 19, 2025 the Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report summarizing current issues related to Oversight and Enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. A summary of the report and a link to the report can be found here: |
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CRS is a non-partisan public policy research institute operating within the Library of Congress providing independent research and information to public officials. |
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FEDERAL DEREGULATION COMMENTS |
Deregulation Suggestions https://www.regulations.gov/deregulation A template format requesting public input on ideas for cutting existing or proposed rules or regulations. Requests specifics of the regulation (CFR section and/or Federal Register cite) and an explanation of why it should be rescinded. No deadline posted. |
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