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Public Law117th CongressAnimals
H.R. 263Became Law

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 20, 2022)

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This act revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border. However, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries.

(Sec. 3) The act expands the Lacey Act prohibitions to include a prohibition on possessing or breeding big cats. Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. Owners of big cats that were born before this act's enactment may keep their big cats, but the owners must register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The act modifies the list of entities that are exempt from prohibitions to export, buy, sell, transport, receive, acquire, possess, or breed big cats. The modified list includes exemptions for entities or facilities exhibiting animals to the public if they (1) hold a Class C license in good standing under the Animal Welfare Act, and (2) do not allow individuals to come into direct physical contact with big cats. However, direct contact is allowed if the individual is a trained professional, a veterinarian, or directly supporting conservation programs that do not involve commercial activities and meet other specified restrictions.

(Sec. 4) A person who knowingly violates the act must be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for no more than five years, or both. The act considers each violation to be a separate offense. The offense must be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the prohibited wildlife species.

(Sec. 5) The act extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed; thus, big cats bred or possessed in violation of the act are subject to forfeiture.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior must issue regulations to implement this act.

What just happenedDec 20, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-243.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5](D-IL)Sponsor
258 cosponsors206 D52 R
Read on Congress.gov
258cosponsors1committees31actions1amendments3related bills7subjects
  1. Dec 20, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-243.

  2. Dec 20, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-243.

  3. Dec 20, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 20, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 16, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 16, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 7, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 6, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7005-7006)

  9. Dec 6, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

  10. Aug 1, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate, read twice.

  11. Jul 29, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. Jul 29, 2022FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 278 - 134 (Roll no. 415). (text: 7/28/2022 CR H7388)

  13. Jul 29, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 278 - 134 (Roll no. 415).

  14. Jul 29, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7531-7532)

  15. Jul 28, 2022FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 263, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Westerman demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  16. Jul 28, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House resumed with debate on H.R. 263.

  17. Jul 28, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 263.

  18. Jul 28, 2022FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 263 and H.R. 4040. Resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill. H. Res. 517 is considered adopted.

  19. Jul 28, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1256. (consideration: CR H7388-7395)

  20. Jul 26, 2022FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1256 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 263 and H.R. 4040. Resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill. H. Res. 517 is considered adopted.

  21. Jul 22, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 334.

  22. Jul 22, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-428.

    Natural Resources Committee
  23. Jul 22, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-428.

    Natural Resources Committee
  24. Jun 15, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 17.

    Natural Resources Committee
  25. Jun 8, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  26. Jun 8, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  27. May 12, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee
  28. Feb 18, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

    Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee
  29. Jan 11, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  30. Jan 11, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  31. Jan 11, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 20, 202249

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This act revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border. However, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries.

(Sec. 3) The act expands the Lacey Act prohibitions to include a prohibition on possessing or breeding big cats. Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. Owners of big cats that were born before this act's enactment may keep their big cats, but the owners must register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The act modifies the list of entities that are exempt from prohibitions to export, buy, sell, transport, receive, acquire, possess, or breed big cats. The modified list includes exemptions for entities or facilities exhibiting animals to the public if they (1) hold a Class C license in good standing under the Animal Welfare Act, and (2) do not allow individuals to come into direct physical contact with big cats. However, direct contact is allowed if the individual is a trained professional, a veterinarian, or directly supporting conservation programs that do not involve commercial activities and meet other specified restrictions.

(Sec. 4) A person who knowingly violates the act must be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for no more than five years, or both. The act considers each violation to be a separate offense. The offense must be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the prohibited wildlife species.

(Sec. 5) The act extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed; thus, big cats bred or possessed in violation of the act are subject to forfeiture.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior must issue regulations to implement this act.

Passed SenateDec 6, 202255

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.

Passed HouseJul 29, 202253

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.

Reported to HouseJul 22, 20227

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.

Introduced in HouseJan 11, 2021

Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Specifically, it revises restrictions on the possession and exhibition of big cats, including to restrict direct contact between the public and big cats.

Big Cat Public Safety Act — Informed