I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 5360
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive evaluation
of, and make necessary recommendations to Congress regarding, Federal
and State laws that regulate private ownership of exotic wild animals.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 3, 2000
Mr. POMBO (for himself and Mr. LANTOS) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the
Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a com-
prehensive evaluation of, and make necessary rec-
ommendations to Congress regarding, Federal and State
laws that regulate private ownership of exotic wild ani-
mals.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REPORT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agri-
culture, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior,
the Secretary of Commerce, and private organizations that
are experts in the handling, housing, breeding, behavior,
training, and medical care of exotic wild animals, shall
submit a report to the chairman and ranking member of
each of the following:
(1) The Committee on Agriculture of the House
of Representatives.
(2) The Committee on Commerce of the House
of Representatives.
(3) The Committee on Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(4) The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate.
(5) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(6) The Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate.
(b) CONTENTS.—The report shall include the fol-
lowing:
(1) An examination of Federal and State laws
and regulations pertaining to the private ownership
of exotic wild animals, including an evaluation of the
effectiveness of such laws and regulations.
(2) A description of any Federal funding
insufficiencies that hamper Federal agencies in car-
rying out such Federal laws and regulations.
(3) Legislative recommendations for improving
enforcement of such Federal laws and regulations.
(4) An analysis of the cooperative efforts be-
tween Federal and State governments regarding the
enforcement of such Federal and State laws and reg-
ulations and recommendations for improving such
cooperation.
(5) An analysis of public health, safety, and
welfare issues related to the private ownership of ex-
otic wild animals and recommendations to address
any such issues that are not fully addressed by laws
in force at the time of the study.
(6) An analysis of issues related to unregulated
breeding of exotic wild animals in private ownership
and recommendations to address any such issues
that are not fully addressed by laws in force at the
time of the study.
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the
following definitions apply:
(1) EXOTIC WILD ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘exotic
wild animal’’ means any species of animal or hybrid
cross of any species of animal that is not native to
the United States, was introduced to the United
States from outside its borders, or not normally a
domesticated species kept in captivity by individuals
in the United States.
(2) PRIVATE OWNERSHIP.—The term ‘‘private
ownership’’ shall not include ownership or physical
custody of an exotic wild animal by a person or facil-
ity licensed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspec-
tion Service of the United States Department of Ag-
riculture or a State equivalent to own or have phys-
ical custody of an exotic wild animal for the purpose
of research, testing, training, exhibition, breeding,
teaching, or rescuing an exotic wild animal.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this
section.
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