Big Cat Public Safety Act
Sponsored By: Representative Quigley
Became Law
Summary
Creates a nationwide ban on the private possession and breeding of big cats and their hybrids to boost public safety and support conservation. The law carves narrow exemptions for licensed exhibitors, accredited sanctuaries, state institutions, and veterinarians, and requires existing owners to register certain animals.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Big cat ban with tough penalties
The law bans importing, exporting, transporting, selling, buying, breeding, or possessing listed big cats, except narrow exemptions. Breed includes intentional or negligent reproduction, and failing to prevent it. Knowing violations can bring fines up to $20,000 and up to 5 years in prison per act. Civil penalties also apply. Animals bred or possessed unlawfully can be seized.
Current owners must register and stop breeding
If you already have a covered animal born before the law, you must register it with U.S. Fish and Wildlife within 180 days. After enactment, you cannot breed, buy, or sell these animals. You also cannot allow direct public contact with them. Registration lets you keep the animal under these limits.
Zoos and sanctuaries allowed under strict rules
USDA Class C exhibitors and registered federal facilities may keep exhibiting if in good standing. They must block direct public contact, except trained staff, vets, or certain conservation helpers under a species plan. During shows, listed big cats must be at least 15 feet from the public unless a permanent barrier exists. Sanctuaries must be 501(c)(3) public charities and may not breed, sell, allow public contact, or display animals off‑site. State colleges and agencies, state‑licensed veterinarians, and short‑term transport to a qualifying facility are also exempt.
Federal rules to carry out the ban
The Secretary issues rules to run the ban and exemptions. The agency works with federal and state partners. The rules explain how to comply and take effect when issued.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Quigley
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Himes
CT • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Aguilar
CA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Lieu
CA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Fletcher
TX • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Pressley
MA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-14]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Cooper, Jim [D-TN-5]
TN • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Turner (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Harder (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Connolly
VA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2021
Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Sherman
CA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]
AZ • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Rep. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Dean (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Fitzpatrick
PA • R
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Waltz
FL • R
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Womack
AR • R
Sponsored 1/11/2021
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Castor (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/13/2021
Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Meng
NY • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Takano
CA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Underwood
IL • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Houlahan
PA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Horsford
NV • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]
FL • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Demings, Val Butler [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
VA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Ruben Gallego
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/15/2021
Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Velazquez
NY • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Veasey
TX • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Vargas
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Suozzi
NY • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Panetta
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Carbajal
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]
IA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Jones, Mondaire [D-NY-17]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Smucker
PA • R
Sponsored 1/19/2021
DeGette
CO • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Ruiz
CA • D
Sponsored 1/19/2021
Rep. Garcia, Mike [R-CA-25]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Reschenthaler
PA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Boyle (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Matsui
CA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]
FL • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
PA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6]
MI • R
Sponsored 1/21/2021
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/21/2021
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Pappas
NH • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7]
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
MP • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Beatty
OH • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Stanton
AZ • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Meeks
NY • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Torres (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Neguse
CO • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1]
AZ • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Frankel, Lois
FL • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/1/2021
Clark (MA)
MA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Correa
CA • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/5/2021
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Schneider
IL • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Rep. Allred, Colin Z. [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6]
OH • R
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
DeSaulnier
CA • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
McCaul
TX • R
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13]
IL • R
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Stevens
MI • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Huffman
CA • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 2/18/2021
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 2/24/2021
Joyce (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 2/24/2021
Garbarino
NY • R
Sponsored 2/26/2021
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/26/2021
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 3/8/2021
Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 3/8/2021
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 3/8/2021
Gottheimer
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/8/2021
Lisa Blunt Rochester
DE • D
Sponsored 3/16/2021
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 3/16/2021
Harshbarger
TN • R
Sponsored 3/16/2021
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/18/2021
Schweikert
AZ • R
Sponsored 3/18/2021
Mace
SC • R
Sponsored 3/18/2021
Carter (GA)
GA • R
Sponsored 3/18/2021
Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]
IL • R
Sponsored 3/23/2021
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 3/23/2021
Burchett
TN • R
Sponsored 3/23/2021
Jacobs
CA • D
Sponsored 3/23/2021
Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/23/2021
Tenney
NY • R
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Gooden
TX • R
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Moore (AL)
AL • R
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2021
Moulton
MA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Nadler
NY • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Courtney
CT • D
Sponsored 4/1/2021
LaHood
IL • R
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Raskin
MD • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Leger Fernandez
NM • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Wasserman Schultz
FL • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Foster
IL • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Smith (NJ)
NJ • R
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Larsen (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 4/14/2021
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 4/16/2021
Auchincloss
MA • D
Sponsored 5/11/2021
Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/11/2021
Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/11/2021
Case
HI • D
Sponsored 5/12/2021
McClain
MI • R
Sponsored 5/12/2021
Rep. Granger, Kay [R-TX-12]
TX • R
Sponsored 5/12/2021
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 5/18/2021
Valadao
CA • R
Sponsored 5/18/2021
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Sponsored 5/18/2021
Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
WI • D
Sponsored 5/18/2021
Rep. Lamb, Conor [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/18/2021
Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/25/2021
Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/25/2021
Torres (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/25/2021
Larson (CT)
CT • D
Sponsored 5/25/2021
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 5/28/2021
Strickland
WA • D
Sponsored 5/28/2021
Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/4/2021
Stefanik
NY • R
Sponsored 6/8/2021
Sanchez
CA • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Beyer
VA • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Rep. Murphy, Stephanie N. [D-FL-7]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/15/2021
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2021
Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/23/2021
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 6/23/2021
Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/28/2021
Davids (KS)
KS • D
Sponsored 6/28/2021
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 6/29/2021
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 7/1/2021
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 7/13/2021
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 7/13/2021
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 7/13/2021
Peters
CA • D
Sponsored 7/20/2021
Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 7/27/2021
Hill (AR)
AR • R
Sponsored 7/29/2021
Norman
SC • R
Sponsored 8/3/2021
Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/13/2021
Scanlon
PA • D
Sponsored 8/24/2021
Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3]
MN • D
Sponsored 9/3/2021
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 9/10/2021
Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23]
NY • R
Sponsored 9/10/2021
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 9/20/2021
Castro (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 9/21/2021
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 9/23/2021
Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3]
MD • D
Sponsored 9/24/2021
DeLauro
CT • D
Sponsored 9/24/2021
Bera
CA • D
Sponsored 9/24/2021
Neal
MA • D
Sponsored 9/27/2021
Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/27/2021
Rep. Wexton, Jennifer [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/30/2021
Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/30/2021
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 10/8/2021
Kim
CA • R
Sponsored 10/8/2021
Gimenez
FL • R
Sponsored 10/12/2021
Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 10/19/2021
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 10/19/2021
Cuellar
TX • D
Sponsored 10/19/2021
Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/22/2021
Green, Al (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 10/22/2021
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 10/22/2021
Ross
NC • D
Sponsored 10/25/2021
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 10/25/2021
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 10/26/2021
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 10/26/2021
Cleaver
MO • D
Sponsored 10/26/2021
Morelle
NY • D
Sponsored 11/1/2021
Bacon
NE • R
Sponsored 11/5/2021
Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 11/5/2021
Rep. Manning, Kathy E. [D-NC-6]
NC • D
Sponsored 11/5/2021
Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
TX • D
Sponsored 11/9/2021
Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
Sponsored 11/9/2021
Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/9/2021
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 11/9/2021
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 11/9/2021
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 11/16/2021
Lee (NV)
NV • D
Sponsored 11/17/2021
Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/18/2021
Jeffries
NY • D
Sponsored 11/30/2021
Thompson (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 12/7/2021
Malliotakis
NY • R
Sponsored 12/7/2021
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 12/7/2021
Van Duyne
TX • R
Sponsored 12/9/2021
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 12/14/2021
Sessions
TX • R
Sponsored 12/23/2021
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 1/6/2022
Franklin, Scott
FL • R
Sponsored 1/12/2022
Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
TX • D
Sponsored 2/7/2022
Rep. Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 2/15/2022
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 2/15/2022
Balderson
OH • R
Sponsored 3/8/2022
Carter (LA)
LA • D
Sponsored 6/21/2022
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 6/21/2022
Roll Call Votes
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