summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Wildlife Code. Requires fur facilities to be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources in order to continue operating. Provides that a person is not eligible to obtain a fur facility license for a fur facility that was not owned or operated in the State before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Specifies that a person who owns or operates a fur facility before the effective date of the amendatory Act must obtain a fur facility license from the Department for the facility by January 1, 2028 in order to continue owning or operating the facility on or after January 1, 2028. Limits the transferability of licenses after January 1, 2028. Establishes various license application requirements. Requires the Department to inspect fur facilities before granting or renewing a fur facility license. Provides that a fur facility license may be granted by the Department only if the Department determines the facility meets certain requirements. Creates the Fur Facility Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that amounts in the Fund must be used by the Department to finance the administration and enforcement of the licensing system established by the amendatory Act. Specifies that the Department of Natural Resources must revoke the license of any person who violates the licensing requirements added by the amendatory Act and may confiscate the person's fur-bearing mammals. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of the licensing requirements added by the amendatory Act. Exempts fur facility license holders from the Code's fur-bearing mammal breeder permitting requirements. Defines various terms. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Wildlife Code to require all fur facilities, which are operations that breed, raise, or slaughter captive fur-bearing mammals for profit, to be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources (Department). Existing fur facilities must obtain a license by January 1, 2028, to continue operating, but new facilities that were not owned or operated in the state before the bill's effective date are ineligible for licensing, effectively ending the establishment of new fur facilities. Licenses will be nontransferable after January 1, 2028, and require an annual application with extensive information about the facility's operations, including animal numbers, sources, transportation, enclosures, waste disposal, and health and safety procedures, along with a $1,000 annual fee. The Department will conduct annual inspections to ensure compliance, and licenses will only be granted or renewed if the facility meets specific construction, security, recordkeeping, animal husbandry, and veterinary care standards, and if the applicant has no history of environmental or animal cruelty violations. The bill also establishes the Fur Facility Fund to support the administration and enforcement of this licensing system, and violations of the licensing requirements can result in license revocation, confiscation of animals, and criminal penalties, including a Class C misdemeanor for operating without a license after January 1, 2028. Holders of a fur facility license are exempt from separate fur-bearing mammal breeder permit requirements.
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason (on 02/24/2026)
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