H.B. 49 Summary

• Prohibits keeping cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) in captivity for display, performance, or entertainment purposes, with exceptions for educational or scientific institutions and existing facilities.

• Allows cetaceans held by bona fide educational or scientific institutions that cannot be released into the wild to be used for educational presentations only.

• Grandfathers cetaceans already held in captivity by non-educational organizations prior to the effective date to continue being held for display, performance, or entertainment.

• Bans breeding, impregnation, and artificial insemination of all captive cetaceans after the effective date, and prohibits importing, exporting, or transporting captive cetaceans to other states or countries.

• Establishes penalties as a misdemeanor violation with a fine (amount not specified in bill) and requires organizations rescuing or acquiring cetaceans to promptly notify the Department of Land and Natural Resources.