Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-864
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2019-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: American Samoa
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Commerce
Department of the Interior
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Fishes
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Guam
Hunting and fishing
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Reptiles
Smuggling and trafficking
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: 

Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2019

 
This bill supports wildlife conservation and addresses wildlife trafficking.
 
Specifically, it reclassifies certain wildlife-trafficking offenses and illegal fishing violations as violations of federal racketeering or other laws concerning transnational criminal organizations. The bill also expands federal law enforcement powers to combat wildlife trafficking (e.g., poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife).
 
The bill sets forth requirements to provide awards to whistle-blowers for reporting violations of wildlife-trafficking laws.
 
In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service must carry out the International Wildlife Conservation Program to 
 
 
 implement global habitat and conservation initiatives; 
 
address global conservation threats;
 
combat wildlife trafficking, poaching, and trade in illegal wildlife products; and 
 
carry out international wildlife conservation and habitat activities authorized by federal law.
 
 
Revenue generated from fines, penalties, or forfeitures of property or assets for certain wildlife and fishing violations may be used for a variety of animal conservation funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-02-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E107-108)
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Introduced in House