House Bill 1179 - Wild Animal Permits Summary

• Adds new exemptions from wild animal permit requirements for research facilities and educational institutions licensed by the USDA, and individuals transporting wild animals through Indiana if the animal remains confined and is not unloaded or exhibited.

• Defines "circus" as an entity with a USDA exhibitor license that offers performances by animals, clowns, and acrobats for public entertainment without breeding or selling animals, and removes carnivals from the exemption list.

• Changes the definition of "zoological park" to require accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, removing the previous definition that included local government agencies.

• Removes the requirement for a separate permit for each wild animal and eliminates the requirement that a permit is necessary if a wild animal is harmful to plants; permits now required only for animals protected by statute/rule or harmful to humans or domestic/wild animals.

• Authorizes the natural resources commission to set wild animal permit fees above the $10 minimum, not to exceed the amount necessary to offset department costs, and allows seizure of animals posing a risk to public health or safety.