Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (2 Dec 2020): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What this bill does
H.R. 8828, the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act, would prohibit the import, export, or interstate shipment of steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear traps, as well as the sale or purchase of such traps if they were transported in violation of the law. The bill defines both trap types in detail, excluding cage or box traps, live beaver traps, and mouse or rat snap traps. Violations would carry civil fines—$500 for a first offense and $1,000 or up to two years imprisonment for subsequent offenses—per trap involved, plus court costs. The bill also authorizes rewards for individuals whose information leads to a conviction, and sets out enforcement mechanisms, including customs and export-control procedures, forfeiture of trapping devices, and injunctive relief through the Attorney General. The Secretary of the Interior would administer and enforce the Act and may issue implementing rules.
The bill would affect trappers, retailers, manufacturers, and importers/exporters who deal in these specific trap types, as well as federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior, Customs, and Commerce, which would share enforcement duties. It aims to reduce risks to public safety and unnecessary harm to companion animals and wildlife from these trapping devices.
Introduced on December 2, 2020, by Rep. Alma Adams, the bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act
This bill bans steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear traps.
Steel-jaw leghold traps are certain spring-powered devices with steel jaws that are designed to snap closed on animals. Conibear traps consist of metal frames hinged at the center point and powered by two torsion springs that create a scissor-like action designed to kill an animal by snapping its spine. Cage traps, box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and mouse or rat snap traps are not included in the ban.
The bill establishes penalties for violating this ban.
The Department of the Interior must pay a reward for information that leads to a conviction of a violation of this bill, unless the information was provided by on duty officers or employees of federal, state, or local governments. The reward must be 50% of the fine paid.
Timeline
2 Dec 2020
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8828 do?
- H.R. 8828, the Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act, would prohibit the import, export, or interstate shipment of steel-jaw leghold traps and Conibear traps, as well as the sale or purchase of such traps if they were transported in violation of the law. The bill defines both trap types in detail, excluding cage or box traps, live beaver traps, and mouse or rat snap traps. Violations would carry civil fines—$500 for a first offense and $1,000 or up to two years imprisonment for subsequent offenses—per trap involved, plus court costs. The bill also authorizes rewards for individuals whose information leads to a conviction, and sets out enforcement mechanisms, including customs and export-control procedures, forfeiture of trapping devices, and injunctive relief through the Attorney General. The Secretary of the Interior would administer and enforce the Act and may issue implementing rules. The bill would affect trappers, retailers, manufacturers, and importers/exporters who deal in these specific trap types, as well as federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior, Customs, and Commerce, which would share enforcement duties. It aims to reduce risks to public safety and unnecessary harm to companion animals and wildlife from these trapping devices. Introduced on December 2, 2020, by Rep. Alma Adams, the bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 116th Congress, meaning it did not become law and would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress to be considered further.
- Has H.R. 8828 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8828. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8828?
- H.R. 8828 was sponsored by Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (D-NC), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8828?
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (2 Dec 2020).
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