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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 28, 2015 10:56 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Madeleine Dean |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislation Providing for a Ban on the Importation and Sale of Ivory and Ivory Products in Pennsylvania |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will provide for a ban on the importation and sale of ivory and ivory products in Pennsylvania. According to National Geographic, over 100,000 African elephants have been killed by ivory poachers since 2011 and Central Africa has lost 64% of its elephants in a decade. Poaching and the illegal trafficking of wildlife not only threatens a species’ population, which may already be threatened or endangered, but can generate billions of dollars in illicit revenues annually to organizations linked to terrorism. Given the unprecedented and escalating threat to African elephants from poaching, I believe that Pennsylvania must join the federal government and neighboring states to do its part to help stem the global demand for ivory. Specifically, this legislation would prohibit the importation, sale, purchase, barter, or possession with intent to sell ivory or ivory products in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, owning a piece of ivory or an antique that contains ivory and obtaining an appraisal for its value would not constitute a possession with the intent to sell. Ivory or ivory products obtained through legal inheritance would also be exempt from these provisions. Additionally, the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would be authorized to grant permits for the importation or sale of ivory or ivory products for educational and scientific purposes. A violation of this act would carry a minimum fine of an amount equal to two times the total value of the ivory or ivory products involved, or $1,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for the second or subsequent offenses, whichever is greater. These penalties would be in addition to any prohibition and penalty established by federal or any other applicable law involving the illegal importation or sale of ivory or ivory products. I hope you will join with me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Memo Updated: July 28, 2015 10:58 AM