To find out the status of these or any other bills, contact the congressional bill status line at (202) 225-1772. This information is also available on the World Wide Web at http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d107query.html (107th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d106query.html (106th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d105query.html (105th Congress) or http://thomas.loc.gov/d104/d104query.html (104th Congress).
| H.R. 1501 | H.R. 1791 | H.R. 4320 | H.R. 4415 | H.R. 4496 |
| H.R. 4801 | H.R. 4819 | H.R. 5186 | S. 2329 | S. 2725 |
| S Amendment 3710 | S Amendment 3982 | H.R. 2929 Update | S. 1109 Update |
Introduced on April 21, 1999, by Bill McCollum (R-Florida) and was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. As of April 11, 2000, the bill had passed the Senate with an amendment and a House Conference was meeting to resolve differences. This act may be cited as the “Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act of 1999.”
SEC. 1520. APPLICATION OF PROVISION RELATING TO A SENTENCE OF DEATH FOR AN ACT OF ANIMAL ENTERPRISE TERRORISM.
Section 3591 of title 18, United States Code (relating to circumstances under which a defendant may be sentenced to death), shall apply to sentencing for a violation of section 43 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act to include the death penalty as a possible punishment.
Introduced May 13, 1999, by Jerry Weller (R-Illinois) and signed by President Clinton on August 2, 2000, as Public Law No: 106-254. This Act may be cited as the “Federal Law Enforcement Animal Protection Act of 2000.”
SEC. 2. HARMING ANIMALS USED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Sec. 1368. Harming animals used in law enforcement
(a) Whoever willfully and maliciously harms any police animal, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not more than 1 year. If the offense permanently disables or disfigures the animal, or causes serious bodily injury or the death of the animal, the maximum term of imprisonment shall be 10 years.
(b) In this section, the term 'police animal' means a dog or horse employed by a Federal agency (whether in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch) for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, enforcement of laws, or apprehension of criminal offenders.
Introduced April 13, 2000, by George Miller (D-California) and referred to the Committee on Resources. This bill was passed by the House as amended on July 25, 2000, and sent to the Senate on July 26. This Act may be cited as the “Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000.”
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that-- (1) great ape populations have declined to the point that the long-term survival of the species in the wild is in serious jeopardy; (2) the chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobo, and orangutan are listed as endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) and under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249); (3) because the challenges facing the conservation of great apes are so immense, the resources available to date have not been sufficient to cope with the continued loss of habitat due to human encroachment and logging and the consequent diminution of great ape populations; (4) because great apes are flagship species for the conservation of the tropical forest habitats in which they are found, conservation of great apes provides benefits to numerous other species of wildlife, including many other endangered species; (5) among the threats to great apes, in addition to habitat loss, are population fragmentation, hunting for the bushmeat trade, and live capture; (6) great apes are important components of the ecosystems they inhabit, and studies of their wild populations have provided important biological insights; and (7) the reduction, removal, or other effective addressing of the threats to the long-term viability of populations of great apes in the wild will require the joint commitment and effort of countries that have within their boundaries any part of the range of great apes, the United States and other countries, and the private sector.
(b) PURPOSES- The purposes of this Act are--(1) to perpetuate viable populations of great apes in the wild; and (2) to assist in the conservation and protection of great apes by supporting conservation programs of countries in which populations of great apes are located and by supporting the CITES Secretariat.
Introduced May 10, 2000, by Gary Ackerman (D-New York) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
SEC. 29. PROTECTION OF VEAL CALVES.
(a) HUMANE LIVING CONDITIONS REQUIRED- Beginning one year after the date of the enactment of this section, no person shall raise a calf for the production of veal unless the person complies with the following requirements: (1) The calf must be free to turn around without difficulty, lie with its legs outstretched, and groom itself, without any impediment such as too small an enclosure, chaining, or tethering. (2) The calf must be fed a daily diet containing sufficient iron and, if the calf is more than 14 days old, sufficient digestible fiber to prevent anemia and to sustain full health.
(b) PENALTIES- The remedies and procedures provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 19 shall apply with respect to a violation of subsection (a).
(c) INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS- For purposes of enforcement of this section, the Secretary may make such investigations or inspections as the Secretary considers necessary of any facility where calves are kept for the production of veal. Section 16 shall apply with respect to investigations and inspections conducted under this section.
Introduced May 18, 2000, by Michael Simpson (R-Idaho) and referred to the Committee on Resources. On June 5, 2000, it was referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands and executive comment was requested from Interior. This Act may be cited as the “Protecting America's Wolves Act.”
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
The Congress finds the following: (1) Throughout history, wolves have been misunderstood and feared. Wolves have been subjected to widespread persecution and targeted by large scale predator eradication programs sponsored by private, State, and Federal entities. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 finally protected wolves as endangered species, but by that time wolves had been almost completely exterminated from the lower 48 States, except for a few hundred wolves that inhabited extreme northeastern Minnesota. (2) The subspecies commonly known as the Eastern Timber Wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) once had an extensive range covering most of the Eastern United States, including the Catskill Mountains of New York. (3) Reintroduction of the Eastern Timber Wolf into the State of New York would serve the public interest, by--(A) helping to ensure the survival of that subspecies; (B) enhancing the biological diversity of the ecosystems of the State of New York and bringing them into a more natural balance; (C) beginning to redress some of the mistakes of the past, such as the Government-sponsored extermination of the Eastern Timber Wolf; and (D) enhancing our understanding of wolves and of the environment. (4) The public debate surrounding wolf reintroduction in the Northeastern United States would foster a deeper understanding within the general public about the complex interactions among species in their natural environments.
SEC. 3. EASTERN TIMBER WOLF REINTRODUCTION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and publish a recovery plan for the Eastern Timber Wolf in the Northeastern United States under section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)), including a plan for releasing Eastern Timber Wolves in the Catskill Mountain area of New York under section 10(j) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1539(j)).
(b) PLAN CONTENTS- The Plan shall include the following: (1) Goals for the biological recovery of the Eastern Timber Wolf, including wolf population goals that must be achieved as a condition for removing that subspecies from lists under section 4(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)). (2) A process and method for obtaining Eastern Timber Wolves from Canada for release under the plan. (3) An outline of how releases under the Plan will proceed, including proposals for cooperative agreements that may be pursued with State and local government agencies to facilitate those releases. (4) A determination of the number of Eastern Timber Wolves that should be released under the Plan to ensure a self-sustaining population of that species in the Catskill Mountain area of New York. (5) A process for compensating New York residents for depredation of livestock by Eastern Timber Wolves, including--(A) an estimate of the number and value of livestock in New York expected to be lost to depredation by that species; (B) criteria for determining in individual cases whether livestock depredation by that species has actually occurred; (C) procedures for providing compensation; (D) establishment of a separate account for the receipt and disbursement of donations of money for use to pay compensation, that shall be known as the `Protecting Eastern Timber Wolf Restoration Mitigation Fund'; and (E) an estimate of the amount of money that would be needed in that account to ensure in perpetuity the availability of amounts for paying such compensation. (6) A study of--(A) the feasibility of releasing Eastern Timber Wolves in other parts of New York; and (B) the feasibility of reducing road densities in certain areas of New York to provide for wolf dispersal corridors.
(c) ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF DONATIONS-(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may accept and use donations of funds for compensating New York residents for depredation of livestock by Eastern Timber Wolves under the Plan. (2) DEPOSIT INTO PET WOLF FUND- Amounts received as donations under this subsection--(A) shall be deposited into the PET Wolf Fund; and (B) shall be available, subject to appropriations, for paying compensation in accordance with the Plan.
SEC. 4. EASTERN TIMBER WOLF RELEASES.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall, in accordance with the Plan, begin releasing Eastern Timber Wolves on land in the Catskill Mountain area of New York acquired under section 5 by the latest of--(1) the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) the date on which the Secretary has obtained Eastern Timber Wolves for release; or (3) the date on which the Secretary has obtained land under section 5 for that release.
(b) ACQUISITION OF ANIMALS FOR RELEASE- The Secretary shall seek to acquire Eastern Timber Wolves for release under the Plan by not later than the date referred to in subsection (a)(1).
(c) STATUS OF RELEASED WOLVES- Section 10(j)(2)(C) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539(j)(2)(C)) shall not apply to any population of Eastern Timber Wolves released under this section.
SEC. 5. LAND ACQUISITION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, through the Bureau of Land Management, may acquire land and interests in land within the Catskill Mountain area of New York for use as sites for releases of Eastern Timber Wolves under this Act.
(b) MANAGEMENT- Lands and interests acquired under this section shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF CRITICAL HABITAT.
Not later than 6 months after the date of the first release of Eastern Timber Wolves under this Act, the Secretary shall designate areas in New York that as critical habitat of the Eastern Timber Wolf for purposes of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Introduced June 29, 2000, by Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary. This act may be cited as the “Animal Health Protection Act.”
SEC. 6. INTERSTATE MOVEMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may prohibit or restrict the--(1) movement in interstate commerce of any animal, article, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the possibility of interstate introduction or dissemination of any disease or pest of livestock; and (2) use of any means of conveyance or facility in connection with the movement in interstate commerce of any animal or article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the possibility of interstate introduction or dissemination of any disease or pest of livestock.
(b) MOVEMENT OF LIVESTOCK-(1) IN GENERAL- No person shall confine alpaca, bison, buffalo, camel, cattle, deer, donkey, elk, goat, horse, llama, mule, reindeer, sheep, swine, or such other animals that the Secretary may designate in regulation, except embryos of such animals and equines for slaughter, moved in interstate commerce in any means of conveyance for a period longer than twenty-eight consecutive hours without unloading such animals in a humane manner into properly equipped pens for rest, water, and feeding, for a period of at least five consecutive hours, unless prevented by storm or by other accidental or unavoidable causes which cannot be anticipated or avoided by the exercise of due diligence and foresight. (2) TIME OF CONFINEMENT- When calculating the time of confinement, the time consumed in loading and unloading shall not be considered, but the time during which such animals have been confined on any connecting means of conveyance without unloading in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be included. (3) RESTING AND FEEDING-(A) IN GENERAL- Such animals unloaded under this subsection shall be properly rested, fed, and watered either by the owner or shipper, or in the case of a default in so doing, then by the owner or operator of the means of conveyance transporting such animals, at the reasonable expense of the owner or shipper of such animals. (B) LIENS- The owner or operator of the means of conveyance transporting such animals shall in such case have a lien upon such animals for food, water, care, and custody furnished, collectible at destination in the same manner as the transportation charges are collected, and shall not be liable for any detention when the detention is of reasonable duration to enable compliance with this subsection. (C) OWNER OR SHIPPER PROVIDING FOOD OR WATER- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the owner or shipper from furnishing food and water, if the owner or shipper so desires. (4) APPLICATION OF REQUIREMENT- The requirements of this subsection do not apply if such animals are carried in any means of conveyance in which proper food, water, space, and opportunity to rest have been provided, as determined by the Secretary.
Introduced July 10, 2000, by Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Section 2 of the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 426a), is amended to read as follows:
SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL FARM AND RANCH OPERATORS TO USE NONLETHAL MEANS OF PREDATOR CONTROL FOR LIVESTOCK PROTECTION.
(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section: (1) LETHAL PREDATOR CONTROL- The term 'lethal predator control' means a lethal method to control the population of a wild animal that preys on domestic livestock or otherwise interferes with livestock operations, including such methods as aerial gunning, shooting, denning, leghold trapping, conibear trapping, neck and body snaring, and poisoning. (2) NONLETHAL PREDATOR CONTROL- The term 'nonlethal predator control' means a method to prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, a wild animal preying on domestic livestock or otherwise interfering with livestock operations that does not involve the destruction of the animal, including such methods as the use of livestock herders, dogs, burros, or llamas to guard livestock, night penning of livestock, and improved fencing. (3) SECRETARY- The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. (4) SMALL RANCH OPERATION- The term 'small ranch operation' means a farm or ranch that generates not more than $250,000 in gross revenues annually, as determined by the Secretary. (5) WILDLIFE SERVICES PROGRAM- The term 'Wildlife Services Program' means the activities authorized by the first section of this Act.
(b) ASSISTANCE RESTRICTED TO SMALL RANCH OPERATIONS- In carrying out Wildlife Services Program operations designed to protect livestock and livestock operations from wild animals injurious to animal husbandry, the Secretary shall restrict those operations to small ranch operations that the Secretary determines--(1) involve the raising of the types of livestock most at risk to damage from wild animals; and (2) are located in those areas where the need for predator control is greatest, rather than those areas where predator control has traditionally occurred.
(c) EMPHASIS ON NONLETHAL PREDATOR CONTROL- The Secretary shall emphasize the use of nonlethal predator control methods, rather than lethal predator control methods, as the preferred way to protect livestock and livestock operations under the Wildlife Services Program.
(d) GRANTS TO IMPLEMENT NONLETHAL PREDATOR CONTROL- Using funds made available for Wildlife Services Program operations, the Secretary shall make grants to operators of small ranch operations and associations composed primarily of operators of small ranch operations to assist an operator or association to implement and use nonlethal predator control to prevent, or reduce the likelihood of, wild animals preying on livestock or otherwise interfering with livestock operations.
(e) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- Using funds made available for Wildlife Services Program operations, the Secretary shall provide operators of small ranch operations with training and technical assistance regarding the availability of nonlethal predator control options and the use of nonlethal predator control in their livestock operations.
(f) RESEARCH- (1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct research, directly or through grants with appropriate entities, to determine the following: (A) The extent of the damage to livestock and livestock operations, particularly in western States, resulting from the depredations of predatory and other wild animals. (B) The environmental consequences of conducting Wildlife Services Program operations, particularly lethal predator control, to prevent or reduce predator damage to livestock and livestock operations. (C) The effectiveness of lethal predator control and nonlethal predator control under the Wildlife Services Program to protect livestock and livestock operations. (D) The overall populations of specific wildlife and predatory species on a regional, rather than State-by-State basis, with emphasis given to monitoring viable wildlife populations.
(2) INFORMATION ON SHEEP LOSSES- As one of the research projects conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall enter into agreements with wool producers or other appropriate entities in not more than 12 sheep-raising districts in the western States, with varying degrees of predation problems, to promptly report sheep losses to predators in order to more accurately determine the extent to which predatory animals cause damage to the wool industry despite the use of, or in the absence of, lethal predator control and nonlethal predator control.
Introduced by Charles Pickering (R-Mississippi) on September 14, 2000, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture. This Act may be cited as the “Veterinary Health Enhancement Act.”
SEC. 338M. SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS REGARDING VETERINARY MEDICINE.
(a) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM- The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall establish a program of entering into agreements with students under which the Federal Government provides to the students scholarships for attending schools of veterinary medicine in consideration of the students agreeing to provide, for a period of time specified in the agreement, veterinary services in veterinarian shortage areas.
(b) LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM- The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians under which the veterinarians agree to provide, for a period of time specified in the agreement, veterinary services in veterinarian shortage areas in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to repay, for each year of such service, not more than $35,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of the veterinarians.
(c) VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE AREAS-(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the term 'veterinarian shortage area' means any of the following: (A) An area in an urban or rural area (which need not conform to the geographic boundaries of a political subdivision and which is a rational area for the delivery of veterinary services) that the Secretary determines has a shortage of veterinarians. (B) A population group that the Secretary determines has such a shortage. (C) A public or nonprofit private medical facility or other public facility that the Secretary determines has such a shortage.
(2) STATE PARTICIPATION- In designating a veterinarian shortage area in a State, the Secretary shall consult with the chief veterinary-medicine official of the State and with other appropriate entities in the State, including representatives of schools of veterinary medicine in the State; representatives of State members of professional associations regarding veterinary medicine; and representatives of large-animal veterinarians in the State.
The bill also authorizes appropriations of up to $5 million for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005 for both the loan program and the scholarship program.
Introduced March 30, 2000, by Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Exempts any migratory bird management carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (including regulations). Authorizes a[n APHIS] employee acting under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to: (1) issue a depredation permit to a Service stakeholder or cooperator; and (2) manage and take migratory birds.
Introduced June 13, 2000, by Bob Smith (R-New Hampshire) and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably to the Senate. This act may be cited as the “Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act.” Related bill-H.R. 3514 (see AWIC Bulletin 10(3-4))
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL SANCTUARY SYSTEM FOR FEDERALLY OWNED OR SUPPORTED CHIMPANZEES NO LONGER NEEDED FOR RESEARCH.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide for the establishment and operation in accordance with this section of a system to provide for the lifetime care of chimpanzees that have been used, or were bred or purchased for use, in research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, or other agencies of the Federal Government, and with respect to which it has been determined by the Secretary that the chimpanzees are not needed for such research (in this section referred to as 'surplus chimpanzees').
Introduced by Arlen Spector (R-Pennsylvania) for Bob Smith (R-New Hampshire) on June 30, 2000. Agreed to in Senate by unanimous consent on June 30. [Editor's Note: H.R. 4577 is an act titled “Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.” On June 14, 2000, the House passed H.R. 4577 as amended and sent it to the Senate. On June 30, 2000, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 4577. Currently, the House and Senate are resolving differences.]
At the appropriate place, add the following: 'None of the funds appropriated under this Act shall be expended by the National Institutes of Health on a contract for the care of the 288 chimpanzees acquired by the National Institutes of Health from the Coulston Foundation, unless the contractor is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International or has a Public Health Services assurance, and has not been charged multiple times with egregious violations of the Animal Welfare Act.'
Introduced July 20, 2000, by Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi) for Bob Smith (R-New Hampshire) and agreed to in Senate by unanimous consent. [Editor's Note: H.R. 4461 is a bill titled “Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.” On July 11, 2000, the House passed H.R. 4461 as amended and sent it to the Senate. On July 20, 2000, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 4461. Currently, the House and Senate are resolving differences.]
On page 20, line 8, strike the '.' and insert in lieu thereof the following: ': Provided further, That no less than $1 million of the funds available under this heading made available for wildlife services methods development, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct pilot projects in no less than four states representative of wildlife predation of livestock in connection with farming operations for direct assistance in the application of non-lethal predation control methods: Provided further, That the General Accounting Office shall report to the Committee on Appropriations by November 30, 2001, on the Department's compliance with this provision and on the effectiveness of the non-lethal measures.
Introduced September 23, 1999, by Sam Farr (D-California) and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. On October 6, 1999, it was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime which held hearings on June 13, 2000. This Act may be cited as the “Captive Elephant Accident Prevention Act of 1999.”
SEC. 2. ELEPHANT SHOWS AND RIDES.
(a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 89 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Sec. 1822. Elephant shows and rides
(a) Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly makes available any elephant for--(1) use in a travelling show or circus; or (2) the purpose of allowing individuals to ride that elephant; shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. In the case of a conviction of a person who has previously been convicted for another offense under this section, the offender shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
(b) In this section, the term 'travelling show or circus' means a show or circus that spends most of its working time each year away from its permanent facility.
Introduced May 24, 1999, by Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. On July 26, 2000, it was ordered to be reported [to the Senate] without amendment favorably. This act may be cited as the “Bear Protection Act of 1999.” Related Bills: H.R.2166
Bear Protection Act of 1999 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State to discuss issues involving such trade with the appropriate representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.
To find out the status of these or any other bills, contact the congressional bill status line at (202) 225-1772.
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