Bills We Support

Marine Animal Legislation

H.R. 406: Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act

This bill would make it illegal to possess, buy, or sell shark fins or any product containing shark fins. It would be acceptable to possess a shark fin only if it was taken with a license or permit and used for noncommercial subsistence or for research purposes.

• Sponsor: H.R. 406 – Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
• Latest Action: H.R. 406 – House – 02/18/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
• Massachusetts co-sponsors:
  • None (as of 6/30/2021)

Animals Used in Research Legislation

H.R. 197: FACT Act (Federal Accountability in Chemical Testing Act)

This bill would amend the ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 to improve reporting about animal testing and alternative test method use by Federal agencies. The amendments would related to the “Reporting Requirements” and “Provision of Information” sections.

• Sponsor: Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
• Latest Action: H.R. 197 – House – 02/02/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• Massachusetts co-sponsors:
  • None (as of 6/30/21)

Wildlife Protection Legislation

H.R. 263: Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill would amend the Captive Wildlife Safety Act to prohibit the possession of lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars, or any hybrid of these species by individuals who are not licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is narrowly focused on privately owned animals and includes exemptions for sanctuaries, universities, and zoos. Current owners are grandfathered in and are simply required to register their animals with the government to ensure that first responders and animal control officers are aware of the presence of such animals in their communities. This bill also restricts direct contact between the public and big cats.

• Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL] and Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian [R-PA]
• Latest Action: H.R. 1380 – House – 02/18/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
• Massachusetts co-sponsors:
  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
  • Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

H.R.151 – Preventing Future Pandemics Act

This bill would address the public health risks posed by wildlife markets, and for other purposes.

Markets where live wild animals are sold are a risk to human health and can be sources of dangerous zoonotic diseases. This bill would ban the import, export, and sale of certain live wildlife in the U.S. when the primary purpose is for human consumption, and also position the U.S. as a global leader in zoonotic disease prevention.

• Sponsor: H.R. 151 – Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
• Latest Action: H.R. 151– House – 02/02/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, 02/18/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, 03/04/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• Massachusetts co-sponsors:
  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]