I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2308
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2009
Mr. Cohen (for himself, Mr. Whitfield, and Mr. Sherman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain interstate conduct relating to exotic animals and certain computer-assisted remote hunting, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of
2009
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Transport or possession of exotic animals for purposes of killing or injuring them
In general
Chapter 3 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Exotic animals
Captive exotic animals
Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly transfers, transports, or possesses a confined exotic animal, for the purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for the collection of a trophy, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
Computer-assisted remote hunting
Whoever, using any instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly makes available a computer-assisted remote hunt shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
Exception
Providing an instrumentality of commerce, such as equipment or access to the Internet, is not a violation of subsection (b) unless the provider has knowledge that the equipment or access is to be used for a computer-assisted remote hunt.
Definitions
In this section—
the term confined exotic animal means a mammal of a species not indigenous to the United States that has been held in captivity—
the majority of the animal’s life; or
a continuous period of 1 year;
the term captivity does not include any period during which an animal lives as it would in the wild—
surviving primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food;
roaming at will over an open area of not less than 1,000 acres; and
having the opportunity to avoid hunters;
the term computer-assisted remote hunt means any use of a computer or other device, equipment, or software to allow a person remotely to control the aiming and discharge of a weapon so as to kill or injure an animal while not in the physical presence of the targeted animal; and
the term instrumentality of interstate commerce means any written, wire, radio, television, or other form of communication in, or using a facility of, interstate commerce.
Construction with other law
Nothing in this section limits the power of State and local authorities to enact laws or regulations concerning computer-assisted remote hunting facilities.
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Conforming amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 3 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
49. Exotic animals.
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