HI SB674

Prohibits any person from selling, offering to sell, possessing with intent to sell, or importing with intent to sell any ivory or rhinoceros horn, regardless of age or origin.

Defines ivory to include teeth or tusks from elephants, hippopotamuses, mammoths, walruses, whales, and narwhals, as well as any products containing or advertised as containing ivory.

First offense is a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $1,000 or twice the value of the ivory/horn (whichever is greater), or imprisonment, or both; subsequent offenses are class C felonies with minimum $5,000 fines.

Exempts federal and state law enforcement activities, persons authorized by federal law, and bona fide educational or scientific institutions with department permits if the ivory or rhinoceros horn was legally acquired before July 1, 1990 and not transferred for financial gain after July 1, 2015.

Takes effect January 1, 2016, with seized items subject to forfeiture and destruction or transfer to permitted educational institutions.