H.R. 4995 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4995 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2023Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Van Drew, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Kean of New Jersey, and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To prohibit certain activities involving kangaroos and kangaroo products, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Kangaroo Protection Act of 2023. 2. Kangaroos and kangaroo products (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Kangaroo The term kangaroo means a dead animal or a part thereof of the species— (A) Macropus fuliginosus (commonly known as the ‘western grey kangaroo’); (B) Macropus giganteus (commonly known as the ‘eastern grey kangaroo’); (C) Osphranter robustus (commonly known as the ‘common wallaroo’); or (D) Osphranter rufus (commonly known as the ‘red kangaroo’). (2) Kangaroo product The term kangaroo product means an item that is composed in whole or in part of a kangaroo. (b) Unlawful acts It is unlawful for any person to knowingly— (1) bring into the United States for commercial purposes, possess with the intent to sell, or sell a kangaroo; or (2) introduce or manufacture for introduction into, sell or offer to sell, trade, advertise, transport, or distribute in interstate commerce a kangaroo product. (c) Criminal penalties (1) In general Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both. (2) Separate offense Each violation of this section shall be a separate offense and the offense is deemed to have been committed in the district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of the kangaroo or kangaroo product. (d) Regulations The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Agriculture, and any other agency the Secretary of Commerce determines appropriate, shall issue regulations necessary to implement this section. (e) Effective date Subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.