What's happening
This bill prohibits issuing permits for the use of wild animals in circuses, with exceptions for accredited zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
Why it matters
Could significantly impact traveling circuses and other entertainment businesses. by restricting their ability to use wild animals, potentially leading to changes in how shows are produced and which acts are offered in New York State.
Reflects growing animal welfare concerns. by responding to public pressure and evidence that the use of wild animals in circuses often leads to inadequate living conditions, stress, and mistreatment.
Creates a clear legal distinction between entertainment and conservation/education. , allowing accredited zoos and genuine wildlife sanctuaries to continue exhibiting animals, which may help support conservation and public education efforts while restricting purely entertainment-based uses.
Could influence national trends or inspire similar legislation in other states. , as New York often sets precedents in animal welfare and public policy.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Wild Animals in Circuses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 39–22
- Ordered to third reading cal.1149
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- 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
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5408
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 30, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MARTINEZ, BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
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 December 31, 2020.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07666-01-9
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
2017-18 A.8157-A passed assembly
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect December 31, 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.