To amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections against the importation, and transport between States, of injurious species, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 26, 2023
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Lacey Act Amendments of 2023 strengthens federal authority to prevent the introduction of harmful invasive animal species into the United States. The bill expands the Secretary of the Interior's power to temporarily ban imports of non-native wild animals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians for up to three years when facing an imminent threat, with such emergency bans taking effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. Most significantly, the legislation creates a new presumptive prohibition on importing any non-native wildlife species unless it was already being imported in more than minimal quantities in the year before the law's enactment, or unless the Interior Secretary determines the species poses no significant invasion risk after public comment. The bill requires the Interior Secretary to issue regulations defining "minimal quantities" within one year of enactment, and the new import restrictions take effect one year after the law passes. This measure primarily affects wildlife importers, exotic pet traders, and industries that rely on importing non-native animal species.
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