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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 250
BY SENATOR WARD
ANIMALS. Exempts certain persons from the requirements of the big exotic cats rules.
(8/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 56:6(31), to provide for the promulgation of rules and2
regulations by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission relative to the3
possession of big exotic cats; to allow for permits for certain institutions and owners;4
to exempt certain persons from the requirements of the big exotic cats rules; to5
provide terms, conditions, and requirements; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 56:6(31) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:8
ยง6. Special powers and duties; statistics; rules and regulations; reports9
The commission, through its secretary:10
* * *11
(31) Shall promulgate rules and regulations to control the importation and12
private possession of big exotic cats including but not limited to tigers, lions,13
leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and hybrids resulting from cross-breeding of such cats.14
The rules shall provide exceptions for big cats traditionally kept by colleges and15
universities as school mascots, animal sanctuaries, zoos, wildlife research centers,16
and scientific organizations. Such rules shall address Internet purchase of such17 SB NO. 250
SLS 14RS-576 ENGROSSED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
animals. Such rules shall also provide for permits for certain institutions and for1
owners who can prove previous ownership. Previous ownership shall include2
persons who obtained their animal by lawful means and continuously possessed3
their animal since August 15, 2006. Violation of rules and regulations adopted4
pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph constitutes a class two violation5
punishable as provided in R.S. 56:32.6
* * *7
Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall be given retroactive application.8
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Ward (SB 250)
Present law provides that the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission through its secretary may
promulgate rules and regulations to control the importation and private possession of big
exotic cats. Requires that the rules provide exceptions for big cats traditionally kept by
colleges and universities, animal sanctuaries, zoos, wildlife research centers, and scientific
organizations and for owners who can prove previous ownership.
Proposed law provides that previous ownership will include persons who obtained their
animal by lawful means and continuously possessed their animal since August 15, 2006.
Proposed law provides for retroactive application.
Effective August 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 56:6(31))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Natural Resources to
the original bill
1. Removes the exception for owners who hold a USDA class C exhibitor's
license.
2. Changes what is considered previous ownership.