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119-hr-10867119th Congress

SLOTHS Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

Introduced

Summary

Prohibits the importation of any covered sloth species into the United States while allowing narrow exceptions for documented research and transfers to accredited institutions for breeding programs. This bill would create civil and criminal penalties and give federal authorities tools to seize and forfeit illegally imported sloths.

Show full summary
  • Accredited institutions and researchers: Accredited zoos, aquariums, and other Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities could import dead specimens for documented research or live sloths for approved breeding programs if they show the animal was not taken from the wild after enactment.
  • Importers and traders: Importing a sloth contrary to the bill would expose a person to civil fines up to $20,000 per violation and criminal fines up to $100,000 for knowing violations. Each illegal import can be treated as a separate offense in multiple districts.
  • Enforcement and disposition: The Secretary of the Interior could cancel relevant federal permits, seize and forfeit illegally imported sloths under customs and criminal forfeiture rules, and require convicted parties or those assessed civil penalties to pay storage costs for seized animals.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Cancel permits for sloth import violations

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to cancel any federal license, permit, or authorization the Secretary issued to a person found to have violated the sloth import rules. If enacted, cancellations would cover permits for importing or exporting fish, wildlife, or plants, and permits to run quarantine stations or rescue centers for imports. If enacted, the Secretary would not have to pay compensation, reimbursement, or damages for those cancellations.

Fines for illegal sloth imports

If enacted, the bill would allow civil penalties up to $20,000 for each violation of the sloth import rules. If enacted, knowing violations could bring criminal fines up to $100,000 per offense. If enacted, each violation could count separately in multiple districts. If enacted, people convicted or found liable could also have to pay storage, care, and maintenance costs for seized sloths. Civil penalties would require notice and an opportunity for a hearing before assessment.

Ban on importing covered sloths

If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful for any person to import an individual of a covered sloth species (suborder Folivora), with two narrow exceptions. If enacted, dead sloths or parts could be imported for research if documentation satisfactory to the Secretary supports the purpose. If enacted, live sloths could be moved to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums‑accredited institution under its breeding program only if paperwork satisfactory to the Secretary shows the animal was not taken from the wild after enactment.

Seizure and forfeiture of sloths

If enacted, the bill would make covered sloths imported in violation subject to seizure and forfeiture to the United States. If enacted, applicable customs seizure and forfeiture procedures would apply when consistent with the bill, and the Secretary or designees could use customs-law powers. If enacted, search or seizure warrants would follow Rule 41, and civil forfeitures would follow chapter 46 of title 18.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

FL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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