HB244 Summary

• Makes it illegal to possess, sell, transfer, or breed large felidae (tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs, snow leopards, clouded leopards), wolves, or bears, with limited exceptions for licensed exhibitors, research facilities, and nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries.

• Allows persons who unlawfully possessed these animals prior to the bill's effective date to keep them if they meet strict criteria including liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, escape and disaster plans, and compliance with minimum caging requirements.

• Establishes detailed minimum caging standards including buffer zones of 35 feet, perimeter fencing of at least 8 feet high, locked enclosures, and specific square footage requirements (480-1,000+ square feet depending on species), with specialized requirements for pools and enrichment items.

• Exempts Class C USDA-licensed exhibitors, research facilities, nonprofit animal protection organizations, veterinary hospitals, law enforcement, and motion picture production companies that meet specified safety and animal welfare criteria.

• Classifies violations of the possession ban as a Class A misdemeanor and allows law enforcement to arrest violators and seize animals without a warrant.