2011 State Legislation:
Washington: HB 1137 Weakens Prohibitions on Use of Body-Gripping Traps
Born Free USA position: OPPOSE
Bill description: House Bill 1137 would greatly undermine 2000’s Ballot Initiative 713, which banned the use of body-gripping traps for recreation and commerce in fur.
Hawaii: SB 96 Would Prohibit Body-Crushing Traps, Including Snares
Born Free USA position: SUPPORT
Update (late March 2011): This bill is no longer active because the assigned committee deferred the measure.
Bill description: Senate Bill 96 would prohibit body-crushing traps, defined as including steel-jawed leg-hold traps, padded jaw leg-hold traps, Conibear traps and snares.
Hawaii: SB 733/HB 579 Would Prohibit Body-Crushing Traps and Regulate the Use of Other Traps
Born Free USA position: SUPPORT
Update: These bills are no longer active because they did not meet the cross-over date.
Bill description: Senate Bill 733 and House Bill 579 would prohibit body-crushing traps and regulate the use of snares and foot/leg-hold traps. The bills would also prohibit the use of snares in residential and non-hunting areas, and would establish penalties for violations.
Indiana: HB 1299 Would Legalize Captive Trophy Hunting
Born Free USA position: OPPOSE
Update: The bill died after not passing committee by the Feb. 21, 2011, deadline.
Bill description: House Bill 1299 would allow licensed hunting facilities to harvest and hunt game mammals, elk and furbearing mammals for sporting purposes until July 1, 2018.
Indiana: HB 1135 Would Ban Fox and Coyote Penning
Born Free USA position: SUPPORT
Update: The bill died after not passing committee by the Feb. 21, 2011, deadline.
Bill description: House Bill 1135 would amend Indiana’s Natural and Cultural Resources Code to prohibit any person who owns land from engaging in fox or coyote penning. The bill exempts designated federal land and wildlife hunting and trapping areas.
Maine: LD11 Would Regulate Wolf Hybrids
Born Free USA position: SUPPORT
Bill description: LD 11 is a strong first step toward addressing the multitude of problems associated with keeping wildlife in captivity. Recognizing that possessing a wolf hybrid poses public safety concerns, the bill changes the registration requirement for a wolf hybrid kennel to a licensing requirement. It also directs the state Department of Agriculture to consult with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on potential threats to wildlife and public safety prior to issuing a wolf hybrid license.
Thank you for your willingness to speak out for animal protection issues! Your voice has the power to help influence elected officials to improve the lives of countless animals. It's time to get involved, if you are not already.
Please be aware that our State Legislative webpages do not necessarily list every animal protection bill pending in the various state legislatures. If you are aware of a bill in your state that concerns wildlife or captive exotic animals that is not listed on our website, please contact legislation@bornfreeusa.org.
