CONTACT WITH BEAR CUBS S.B. 48:
FLOOR SUMMARY
Senate Bill 48 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Tom Casperson
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Large Carnivore Act to exempt from the Act a person who allowed a patron to have direct or close contact with a bear that was under 36 weeks of age or weighed not more than 90 pounds, if the person met other criteria in the Act.
The Act prohibits the possession of a "large carnivore" without a permit; regulates their handling and care; and specifies owners' responsibilities in instances of attacks. "Large carnivore" is defined as a bear or any of the following cats: a lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, cougar, panther, or cheetah.
The Act does not apply to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Class C (animal exhibitor) licensee that meets all of the following:
-- Conducts a business whose primary purpose is the presentation of animals to the public for education or exhibition and that is not conducted in connection with another business as a means of attracting customers to that other business.
-- Meets or exceeds all standards required of a Class C licensee.
-- Does not allow a patron to come into direct contact with a large carnivore, or come into close enough contact with a large carnivore over 20 weeks of age that will place the patron in jeopardy of being harmed by the large carnivore.
-- Does not sell large carnivores, except to someone who meets this exemption.
-- Does not breed large carnivores.
Under the bill, a licensee could not allow a patron to come into direct contact with a large carnivore other than a bear less than 36 weeks of age or a bear weighing 90 pounds or less. The prohibition against allowing a patron to come into close contact with a large carnivore over 20 weeks old would not apply to a bear less than 36 weeks of age or a bear weighing not more than 90 pounds.
The bill also would delete the prohibition against a Class C licensee's business being conducted in connection with another business as a means of attracting customers to that other business.
MCL 287.1102 & 287.1122 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 2-1-13 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
This 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.