SB 149 Summary

• Establishes the "Large Carnivore Act" regulating ownership of nonnative large cats (tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs) and bears, requiring permits from the Missouri Department of Agriculture for possession, breeding, and transfer.

• Mandates permanent identification for large carnivores, financial responsibility proof (minimum $50,000 liability insurance or equivalent), escape response plans, and prohibits public physical contact except per department rules.

• Creates the "Nonhuman Primate Act" requiring permits for possession of baboons and nonhuman great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas), effective September 1, 2014, with similar identification, financial responsibility, and escape plan requirements.

• Establishes violations as class A misdemeanors (class D felony for intentional release of animals), allows civil forfeiture of animals, and provides exceptions for circuses, research facilities, veterinarians, animal shelters, and wildlife sanctuaries.

• Creates a "Nonhuman Primate Fund" from permit fees to support administration and enforcement, with fees set to recover only actual administrative costs.