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H.R. 263: Big Cat Public Safety Act

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H.R. 263: Big Cat Public Safety Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-01-11 · Animals · Latest: Became Public Law No: 117-243.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-01-11 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 415 (2022): On Passage, HR263 (2022-07-29), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 117-243. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Big Cat Public Safety Act

Plain summary

Big Cat Public Safety Act This act revises requirements governing the trade of big cats (i.e., species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) under the Lacey Act to limit the possession, breeding, and exhibition of big cats. The Lacey Act prohibits any person from importing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, receiving, or acquiring big cats across state lines or the U.S. border. However, some exemptions are provided for certain entities, such as universities and wildlife sanctuaries. (Sec. 3) The act expands the Lacey Act prohibitions to include a prohibition on possessing or breeding big cats. Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. Owners of big cats that were born before this act's enactment may keep their big cats, but the owners must register them with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The act modifies the list of entities that are exempt from prohibitions to export, buy, sell, transport, receive, acquire, possess, or breed big cats. The modified list includes exemptions for entities or facilities exhibiting animals to the public if they (1) hold a Class C license in good standing under the Animal Welfare Act, and (2) do not allow individuals to come into direct physical contact with big cats. However, direct contact is allowed if the individual is a trained professional, a veterinarian, or directly supporting conservation programs that do not involve commercial activities and meet other specified restrictions. (Sec. 4) A person who knowingly violates the act must be fined not more than $20,000, or imprisoned for no more than five years, or both. The act considers each violation to be a separate offense. The offense must be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the prohibited wildlife species. (Sec. 5) The act extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed; thus, big cats bred or possessed in violation of the act are subject to forfeiture. (Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior must issue regulations to implement this act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Big Cat Public Safety Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] · 258 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 263, Big Cat Public Safety Act (2022-07-26)

Cosponsors on this site

Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Steve Womack (R-AR), Sean Casten (D-IL), Adam Smith (D-WA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Grace Meng (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Mark Takano (D-CA), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Marc A. Veasey (D-TX), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA) and 198 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] reported raising $998,074 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr263 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117