Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4005A
SPONSOR: Glick TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the participation of certain animals in traveling animal
acts
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the use of certain animals in
traveling animal acts.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one prohibits the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
from issuing permits or licenses that would authorize the exhibition of
covered animals in traveling acts. Covered animals are cats that are not
domestic cats, kangaroos, wallabys, bears, and non-human primates.
Section two sets an effective date of December 31, 2024.
JUSTIFICATION:
The circus environment is far removed from wild animal habitats, with
performing animals often kept in small, confined spaces and forced to
perform unnatural behaviors. As the public has become more educated
about the need to protect endangered and threatened species, the pres-
ence of such animals in a circus environment appears to contravene ongo-
ing protection efforts and has become increasingly difficult to justify.
This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Conservation
from issuing permits or licenses that would authorize non-human
primates, bears, kangaroos, wallabys, and cats to appear in traveling
acts.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2017-18 A.8157-A passed assembly
2019-20 A.3673 ordered to third reading cal.151
2021-22: A.5542 ordered to third reading cal.179
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect December 31, 2024.
