What's happening
This bill prohibits issuing permits for using wild animals in circuses, with exceptions for accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
Why it matters
Shifts entertainment industry standards. By banning permits for wild animals in circuses, the bill pushes circuses to transition away from traditional animal acts, potentially encouraging investment in alternative forms of entertainment and innovation within the industry.
Addresses animal welfare concerns. The prohibition reflects growing public concern about the ethics and welfare implications of using wild animals for entertainment, highlighting a societal shift toward stronger animal protection standards.
Limits regulatory loopholes. Even if a circus holds a valid federal Department of Agriculture license, New York would not issue state permits, effectively closing a potential loophole and making enforcement tighter at the state level.
Defines clear exceptions for legitimate institutions. Accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries are exempt, meaning educational and conservation-focused facilities can continue to exhibit wild animals, ensuring the law targets only entertainment-based use rather than broader scientific or educational purposes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Wild Animals in Circuses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Print number 7718a
- Amend (t) and recommit to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Ban Wild Animals in Circuses
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7718--A
IN SENATE
February 12, 2018
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of permits authorizing the use of wild animals in circuses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 11-0541 to read as follows: § 11-0541. Prohibition on the issuance of permits authorizing the use of
wild animals in circuses.
1. The department shall not issue a permit or license, including, but not limited to, an education or exhibition permit or an endangered or threatened species license, authorizing the exhibition of a wild animal in a circus, notwithstanding a valid United States department of agriculture license.
2. Such a prohibition shall not apply to:
a. an accredited zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums;
b. a wildlife sanctuary.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11926-04-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of permits authorizing the use of wild animals in circuses
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the use of wildlife in circuses.
Summary of provisions
This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from issuing permits or licenses that would authorize the exhibi- tion of a wild animal in a circus. Such a prohibition, however, would not apply to a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or a wildlife sanctuary.
Justification
The circus environment is far removed from wild animal habitats, with performing animals often kept in small, confined spaces and forced to perform unnatural behaviors. As the public has become more educated about the need to protect endangered and threatened species, the pres- ence of such animals in a circus environment appears to contravene ongo- ing protection efforts and has become increasingly difficult to justify. This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Conservation from issuing permits or licenses that would authorize wild animals to appear in circuses.
Prior legislative history
2017: S.7718 Referred to Environmental Conservation
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2021.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.