LARGE CARNIVORE ACT: EXEMPTION S.B. 210 (S-1): FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 210 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Joe Hune
Committee: Agriculture

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Large Carnivore Act to exempt from portions of the Act a person who is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and whose facilities are accredited by the Zoological Association of America.
The Act regulates the possession and transportation of a "large carnivore", including requirements for the condition, maintenance, and use of a "facility". The Act prohibits the possession of a large carnivore without a permit; regulates the handling and care of large carnivores; establishes standards for keeping large carnivores; and specifies owners' responsibilities in instances of attacks. The Act includes misdemeanor penalties for violations, and permits the seizure of a large carnivore under certain circumstances.

"Large carnivore" is defined as any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: a lion, a leopard (including a snow leopard or clouded leopard), a jaguar, a tiger, a cougar, a panther, or a cheetah; or a bear of a species that is native or nonnative to Michigan, whether wild or captive bred. "Facility" means an indoor or outdoor cage, pen, or similar enclosure where a large carnivore is kept.


Under various exemptions contained in the Act, a zoological park approved or accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association is exempt from requirements regarding obtaining a permit for possession of a large carnivore, the placement of an identification number via subcutaneous microchip, and confinement and control of the animal. Under the bill, a person licensed by the USDA whose facilities are accredited by the Zoological Association of America also would be exempt from those provisions.


MCL 287.1122 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State.


The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local government. It is unclear how many people would be exempted from the criminal penalties established in the Large Carnivore Act. To the extent that the additional exemption reduced misdemeanor convictions related to the possession of large carnivores, local units of government would realize reduced corrections costs.


Date Completed: 6-30-11 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker Matthew Grabowski

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb210/1112