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119-hr-9631119th Congress

Bear Poaching Elimination Act

Sponsored By: Representative McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would ban interstate and international trade in bear viscera and bear viscera products. It would require federal rulemaking and enforcement to stop that trade and coordinate with international partners to eliminate markets for these items.

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  • Traders and consumers: It would make it illegal to import, export, sell, buy, possess, transport, deliver, or receive bear viscera or products in interstate or foreign commerce, with a narrow permit exception for wildlife law enforcement.
  • Federal enforcement and agencies: The Secretary of the Interior, the Treasury Secretary, and the agency with Coast Guard oversight would issue regulations and enforce the ban using authorities like the Endangered Species Act, including seizures and forfeitures and civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation and criminal penalties up to 1 year in prison.
  • Native American communities: The bill preserves the use of bear viscera in traditional Native American rituals and ceremonies except as limited by the bill's section 5.
  • States and hunters: It preserves State authority over bear population management and lawful hunting under State law.
  • International relations: It directs ongoing discussions with Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and with non-Party jurisdictions identified as leading participants in bear viscera trade.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Fines and jail for illegal bear products

This bill would let Interior, Treasury, and the Coast Guard enforce the ban like the Endangered Species Act. If you knowingly violated the ban you would face fines up to $25,000 for each violation. You could also face fines under title 18, up to 1 year in jail, or both. Illegal bear items would be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Money from fines and forfeitures would be used as the Lacey Act directs.

Ban on interstate and foreign bear trade

This bill would ban importing or exporting bear viscera and products. It would ban selling, buying, transporting, or possessing those items across state lines or in foreign trade. "Bear viscera" would mean internal organs or body fluids, including gallbladders and their contents, but not blood or brains. Items labeled or advertised as containing bear viscera would also be covered. The bill would still let government wildlife officers handle these items for enforcement when authorized. It would also preserve state hunting rules and allow traditional Native American ceremonial uses, except as the bill otherwise limits.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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