An Act To Prohibit the Use of Elephants in Traveling Animal Acts
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0396
Committee Amendment CA_A_H122 (House)
Amends: 12 MRSA §12152

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 287, L.D. 396, Bill, "An Act To 
Prohibit the Use of Elephants in Traveling Animal Acts" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Limit the Importation of Elephants' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12152, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A. Elephant importation and possession. Notwithstanding any other provision 
of this Part, the commissioner may not issue a permit to a person to import or possess an 
elephant in this State, unless the commissioner finds that the elephant will be placed in a 
protective environment in which it will have the opportunity to behave as naturally as 
possible. A person importing or possessing an elephant in this State may not allow the 
elephant to participate in any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, 
exposition, fair, animal act, amusement show, circus, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, 
parade, race or similar undertaking in which the elephant is required to perform tricks, 
give rides or participate as accompaniment for the entertainment, amusement or benefit of 
an audience. 
Sec. 2. 
Elephant importation; exception through January 1, 2020. 
Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 12152, subsection 2-A, the 
Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife may issue a permit to a person to import 
an elephant into this State to participate in a traveling circus to raise funds for a charity if 
that traveling circus lawfully operated in the State with an elephant to raise funds for a 
charity in 2016 and as long as the elephant is not permitted to remain in the State after 
January 1, 2020 other than in accordance with Title 12, section 12152, subsection 2-A.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
R. of s. 
COMMITIEE AMENDMENT" fo,, to H.P. 287, L.D. 396 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and is the minority report of the committee. It 
prohibits the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife from issuing a permit to a 
person to import or possess an elephant in the State unless the elephant will be placed in a 
protective environment in which it will have the opportunity to behave as naturally as 
possible. A person importing or possessing an elephant may not allow the elephant to 
participate in any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, 
animal act, amusement show, circus, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race or 
similar undertaking in which the elephant is required to perform tricks, give rides or 
participate as accompaniment for the entertainment, amusement or benefit of an audience. 
The amendment also provides an exception for elephant importations through 
January l, 2020 for a person that imp01is an elephant to participate in a traveling circus to 
raise funds for a charity if that traveling circus lawfully operated in the State with an 
elephant to raise funds for a charity in 2016 and as long as the elephant is not permitted to 
remain in the State after January 1, 2020 unless it is in a protective environment in which 
it will have the opportunity to behave as naturally as possible. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/26/17 .:tPac:.. 
LD396 
LR 1969(02) 
An Act To Prohibit the Use of Elephants in Traveling Animal Acts 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '~' ( H,., J ::l l) 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes new Class E crimes. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Any additional costs to the Department ofinland Fisheries and Wildlife as a result of the restrictions on the issuance 
of elephant importation or elephant possession permits unless certain criteria are met along with the prohibition of 
elephant entertainment performances are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted 
resources. 
LR1969(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1