PRIMATE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal ban on importing nonhuman primates into the United States, with narrow exceptions for Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities and primates certified not to be used or bred for experiments.
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- AZA-accredited facilities: AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums could still import primates for placement under the exception. These imports are limited to placement with that accredited facility.
- Importers and research users: Most importers would be barred from bringing primates into the U.S. An importer may still bring a primate only if they certify it will not be transferred, sold, leased, used in experiments, or bred for experiments.
- Enforcement agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection would deny clearance for shipments containing prohibited primates and carry out enforcement at the border.
- Penalties and forfeiture: Violations would carry civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and require forfeiture of any primate imported contrary to the ban.
- Rulemaking: The Secretary of the Treasury would be required to issue regulations to implement the ban within one year after enactment following notice and comment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban and fines for primate importers
If enacted, the bill would ban importing any live nonhuman primate into the United States, with narrow exceptions. Exceptions would allow primates brought to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums or when the importer certifies the animal will not be sold, transferred, used in experiments, or bred for experiments. U.S. Customs and Border Protection would deny clearance for shipments containing prohibited primates. The Treasury Secretary would write regulations within one year and could assess civil fines up to $50,000 per violation and seize unlawfully imported primates.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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