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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 2
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Councilmember Robert White, Jr. Councilmember Charles Allen 4
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Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 6
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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 8
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Matthew Frumin 10
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A BILL 12
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 14
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To prohibit the sale of animal fur products. 16
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 18
act may be cited as the “Fur Products Prohibition Act of 2023”. 19
Sec. 2. Definitions. 20
For purposes of this Act, the Term: 21
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(1) “Fur” means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers 22
attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state. 23
(2) “Fur product” means any article of clothing or covering, or any fashion 24
accessory, including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves, 25
shawls, gloves, jewelry or key chains, and home accessories and décor, that is made in whole or 26
part of fur. The term “Fur product” does not include: 27
(A) An animal skin or part thereof that is to be converted into leather, or 28
which in processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed; 29
(B) Cowhide with the hair attached thereto; 30
(C) Lambskin or sheepskin with the fleece attached thereto; or 31
(D) The pelt or skin of any animal that is preserved through taxidermy or 32
for the purpose of taxidermy. 33
(3) “Non-profit organization” means any corporation that is organized under 26 34
U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3). 35
(4) “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, 36
limited liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate. 37
(5) “Taxidermy” means the practice of preparing and preserving the skin of an 38
animal that is deceased and stuffing and mounting it in lifelike form. 39
(6) “Ultimate consumer” means an individual who buys a fur product for their 40
own use, or for the use of another, but not for resale or trade. 41
(7) “Used fur product” means a fur product that has been worn or used by an 42
ultimate consumer. 43
Sec. 3. Prohibition. 44
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(a) It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for 45
monetary or nonmonetary consideration any fur product in the District of Columbia. For 46
purposes of this Chapter, the sale of a fur product shall be deemed to occur in the District of 47
Columbia if: 48
(1) the buyer takes physical possession of the fur product in the District; or 49
(2) the seller is located in the District. 50
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, it shall not be unlawful for a person to 51
sell offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary 52
consideration: 53
(1) A used fur product by an individual, non-profit organization or second-hand 54
store, including a pawn shop; 55
(2) A fur product required for use in religious practice; or 56
(3) A fur product where the activity is expressly authorized by federal law. 57
Sec. 4. Penalty. 58
A person who violates section 3 shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500; 59
provided: 60
(1) For a violation that occurs within one year of a previous violation, a civil 61
penalty of up to $750; and 62
(2) For a violation that occurs within one year of a second or subsequent 63
violation, a civil penalty of up to $1,000. 64
Sec. 5. Fiscal Impact Statement 65
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The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 66
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 67
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 68
Sec. 6. Effective date. 69
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 70
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 71
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 72
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 73
Columbia Register. 74