Bill Text: NJ S3989 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expands list of animals prohibited from use in traveling animal acts; limits certain exceptions to apply only at educational institutions.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-12-19 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [S3989 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S3989-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Expands list of animals prohibited from use in traveling animal acts; limits certain exceptions to apply only at educational institutions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the use of wild or exotic animals in traveling animal acts, and amending P.L.2018, c.141.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2018, c.141 (C.23:2A-16) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Mobile or traveling housing facility" means a vehicle, including a truck, trailer, or railway car, used to transport or house an animal used for performance.
"Performance" means any animal act, carnival, circus, display, exhibition, exposition, fair, parade, petting zoo, presentation, public showing, race, ride, trade show, or similar undertaking in which animals perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniments for the entertainment, amusement, or benefit of a live audience.
"Traveling animal act" means any performance which requires an animal to be transported to or from the location of a performance in a mobile or traveling housing facility.
"Wild or exotic animal" means any live animal that is classified into any of the following scientific classifications:
(1) Artiodactyla [, excluding domestic cattle, bison, American buffalo, water buffalo, yak, zebu, gayal, bali cattle, suidae, sheep, goats, llamas, or alpacas] ;
(2) Camelidae;
(3) Canidae [, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic dogs] ;
(4) Crocodilia;
(5) Elephantidae;
(6) Felidae [, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding domestic cats] ;
(7) Marsupialia;
(8) Non-human primate;
(9) Perissodactyla [, excluding domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, or mules] ;
(10) Pinnipedia;
(11) Ursidae; [and]
(12) Elasmobranchii [, excluding rays] ;
(13) Lagomorpha; and
(14) Rodentia.
b. Notwithstanding any other law, rule, or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, to the contrary, no person shall use a wild or exotic animal in a traveling animal act.
c. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties provided for in section 10 of P.L.1973, c.309 (C.23:2A-10), except that the criminal penalties provided in subsection f. of that section shall not apply.
d. This section shall not apply to:
(1) exhibitions at a non-mobile, permanent institution or facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and permitted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection;
(2) outreach programs for bona fide educational or conservation purposes conducted at an educational institution, by, or affiliated with, a non-mobile, permanent institution or facility that meets the requirements described in paragraph (1) of this subsection;
(3) an institution of higher education exhibiting wild or exotic animals for research or education purposes; or
(4) outreach programs conducted by governmental entities.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.141, s.1.)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would amend section 1 of P.L.2018, c.141 (C.23:2A-16), known as "Nosey's Law," by expanding the list of animals covered under the law. Nosey's law prohibits the use of "wild or exotic animals" in a traveling animal act. Currently, domestic species such as cattle, bison, domestic dogs, domestic cats, domestic horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules are excluded from the definition of "wild or exotic animals" under the law. This bill would remove the exclusions from the definition. Additionally, two new animal classifications would be added to the definition of "wild or exotic animals," lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and rodentia (rodents). This bill would make it illegal to use these animals in a traveling animal act. Finally, the bill would limit the exceptions provided in the current law to provide that the prohibition on the use of certain animals in a traveling exhibition would not apply only when outreach programs for bona fide educational or conservation purposes are conducted at an educational institution.
