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HB4255 - 104th General Assembly
CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS
Last Action
House Sponsors
Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy - Joyce Mason - Michael Crawford - Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz - Sharon Chung, Diane Blair-Sherlock, Michelle Mussman, Kimberly Du Buclet, Margaret Croke, Dagmara Avelar, Barbara Hernandez, Laura Faver Dias, Lindsey LaPointe, Carol Ammons, Justin Cochran, Mary Gill, Anna Moeller and Janet Yang RohrSenate Sponsors
(Sen. Linda Holmes - Sara Feigenholtz)Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.
House Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinstates the provisions of the introduced bill, except changes the definition of "covered animal" to include: (1) cougar (puma concolor); (2) jaguar (panthera onca); (3) leopard (panthera pardus), excluding Amur leopard (panthera pardus orientalis); (4) lion (panthera leo); and (5) tiger (panthera tigris). Eliminates from the definition of "covered animal" felidae. Changes the exemptions from a violation of the provisions to a performance of a covered animal that: (1) takes place at a non-mobile, permanent institution, or other fixed facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture; and (2) is conducted by the non-mobile, permanent institution, or fixed facility. Effective July 1, 2026.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 12/19/2025 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy |
| 1/14/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 1/14/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 1/16/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock |
| 1/16/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman |
| 1/16/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason |
| 1/16/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet |
| 1/27/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke |
| 1/27/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar |
| 3/12/2026 | House | Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee |
| 3/13/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez |
| 3/18/2026 | House | Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 008-005-000 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 3/19/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy |
| 3/19/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/20/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee |
| 3/20/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias |
| 4/02/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe |
| 4/07/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-002-000 |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/13/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr |
| 4/14/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted |
| 4/14/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/14/2026 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 076-033-000 |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Arrive in Senate |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | First Reading |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 4/17/2026 | Senate | Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz |
| 4/17/2026 | Senate | Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz |