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History
- Referred to agriculture
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1911
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enacts the "elephant protection act" to prohibit the use of elephants in entertainment acts
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the use of elephants in entertainment acts
Purpose
To provide that no person shall conduct or operate a display of elephants in any type of entertainment act in the state.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 provides that this act shall be known as the "Elephant Protection Act."
Section 2 describes legislative findings.
Section 3 amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 380, which provides that a person shall not conduct or operate a display of elephants in any type of entertainment act in the state. This section also provides that an entertainment act that fails to comply with this section may be subject to a civil penalty.
Section 3 also includes exemptions from the provisions of the section. There is also a definitions section.
Section 4 sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Elephants are complex, highly intuitive and intelligent animals. Circus elephants normally start their training at 18 to 24 months old. These animals are often intentionally dispirited, through a process known as "breaking," whereby trainers use extreme physical restraint and infliction of harm, such as hooking or stabbing of sensitive spots of the body, in order to gain the animal's submission. The elephants are denied positive mental and physical stimulation, they lack proper exercise, and are chained up to 22 hours each day. Furthermore, they are forced to stand for long hours, which can lead to foot diseases and arthritis, conditions which are the top causes of death among captive elephants.
Shifts in societal attitudes concerning captive elephants are evidenced by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's 2015 announcement to remove elephants from their acts in 2016, one year ahead of schedule because of widespread public pressure. The purpose of the Elephant Protection Act is to safeguard all elephants from the physical and psychological harm inflicted upon them by living conditions, treatment, and cruel methods that are necessary to train elephants to perform in entertainment acts.
New York State is in a position to protect the welfare of these animals and to remove them from all circuses and entertainment performances.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law. Provided, however that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.