State Legislation:

Bill description: This bill would prohibit any person to possess, sell, transfer or breed a primate. The bill exempts persons who posses primates on or before July 1, 2012, provided they follow certain registration and welfare requirements and are not convicted on or after July 1, 2012, of an offense involving the abuse or neglect of any animal pursuant to any state, local or federal law.

Read the full text of the bill and follow its progress here (PDF).

Bill description: House Bill 4119 would prohibit the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins in Illinois.

Read the bill text here (PDF).

Bill description: This bill requires trappers to visit traps (with the exception of traps set for unprotected rodents) at least once every 36 hours and removing any catch therein. While a minimum 24-hour trap check is preferred, Born Free USA supports this bill as a strong step forward for Idaho.

Read the full text of the bill and follow its progress here (PDF).

Bill description: This bill makes it illegal to intentionally or negligently breed captive big cats or any species of nonhuman primate. Violators are subject to a maximum 2,000 fine and/or jail time for up to 30 days. The bill does not apply to facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or any AZA-certified related facility, provided those facilities prohibit public contact with any animal of any species or hybrid listed in subsection A of this section. While Born Free USA would rather not see an exemption, we believe this is a strong step forward for Oklahoma and that the bill needs to pass.

Bill description: This bill would require individuals to register and microchip any tiger they possess and establishes a state tiger registration and accounting system as well as methods of disposal to prevent the illegal trade of tigers and their parts.

Read the full text of the bill and follow its progress here (PDF).

Note: The text and status of New Jersey bills is also available here.

Bill description: This bill was drafted by Born Free USA. It would make it illegal to purchase, sell, transport or deliver any product, item or substance containing, labeled or advertised as containing bear gallbladder or bile.

Read the full text of the bill and follow its progress here.