SLS 12RS-680 ENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 16
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
WILDLIFE/FISHERIES DEPT. Specifies accreditation requirements for exemption from
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules governing possession of exotic cats.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To amend the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rule (LAC 76:V.115(E)(1)), to provide2
exemptions from the department's rules governing private possession of potentially3
dangerous quadrupeds, exotic cats and nonhuman primates; to include in those4
exemptions, the Zoo of Acadiana so long as it meets the American Zoo and5
Aquarium standards for enclosures; and to direct the office of the state register to6
print the amendments in the Louisiana Administrative Code.7
WHEREAS, Act 715 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature enacted R.S.8
56:6(31) which requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to ". . . promulgate rules and9
regulations to control the importation and private possession of big exotic cats . . ."; and10
WHEREAS, R.S. 56:6(31) also provides for ". . . exceptions for big cats traditionally11
kept by colleges and universities as school mascots, animal sanctuaries, zoos, wildlife12
research centers, and scientific organizations."; and13
WHEREAS, the rules adopted by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission provide14
those "... zoos accredited" or certified by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association; and15
WHEREAS, accreditation and exacting standards are important to ensure the well-16
being and safety of the animals held in captivity and the safety of the people who are caring17
for and viewing the animals.18 SCR NO. 16
SLS 12RS-680 ENGROSSED
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of Louisiana that LAC1
76:V.115(E)(1) is hereby amended to read as follows:2
ยง115. Possession of Potentially Dangerous Wild Quadrupeds, Big Exotic Cats, and3
Non-Human Primates4
* * *5
E. Exempted Entities. The following organizations and entities shall be6
exempt from this regulation, including permitting:7
1. Zoos accredited or certified by the American Zoo and Aquarium8
Association (AZA) and the Zoo of Acadiana so long as it meets the American9
Zoo and Aquarium Association standards for enclosures;10
* * *11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the12
office of the state register and the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state register is hereby directed14
to have the amendments to LAC 76:V.115(E)(1) printed and incorporated into the Louisiana15
Administrative Code.16
The original instrument was prepared by Michelle Broussard-Johnson. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Cortez SCR No. 16
Current regulation requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to regulate the possession
of big exotic cats. Current regulations exempt from the regulations zoos accredited by the
American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).
Proposed regulation also exempts the Zoo of Acadiana from the need for a zoo permit so
long as they adhere to the AZA enclosure standards.
(Amends LAC 76:V.115(E)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to
the original bill
1. Makes a duplicate to HCR6 of the 2012 Regular Session.