Date: December 3, 2020
Subject: Reducing Competition through Excessive Restrictions on "Big Cat" Ownership
Description: The Big Cat Public Safety Act, sponsored by Rep. Quigley (D-IL), would place excessive new restrictions on the ownership of big cats (i.e., lions, tigers, cheetahs, jaguars) in order to restrict the ability of small, community and family-owned zoos to compete with the big zoo industry. The bill would establish a new licensing regime that significantly restricts who may own big cats, and would prohibit exhibitors from providing public access to them, including a ban on "cub petting." ACU recognizes this bill as a prime example of profit-motivated business competitors petitioning government to quash competition. The bill was lobbied by Carole Baskin, whose tax-exempt Big Cat Rescue "sanctuary" would be exempt from restrictions in the bill while her competitors would be stifled. ACU recognizes that big cat ownership is regulated at the state level and opposes this crony measure designed to restrict competition and enrich special interests.
Result: Agreed to, 272-114
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