United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 4685 (96th)
Elephant Protection Act of 1979
Introduced
28 June 1979
Last action
12 March 1980 · Committee
Status
Rereferred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sponsors
Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Rep. Pritchard, Joel [R-WA-1], Rep. Emery, David F. [R-ME-1], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Rep. Forsythe, Edwin B. [R-NJ-6], Rep. Anderson, Glenn M. [D-CA-32], Rep. AuCoin, Les [D-OR-1], Rep. Carr, Bob [D-MI-8], Rep. Lowry, Mike [D-WA-7], Rep. McCloskey, Paul N., Jr. [R-CA-12], Rep. Thompson, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-4], Rep. Lloyd, James F. [D-CA-35], Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2], Rep. Rousselot, John H. [R-CA-26], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3]
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
2 September 2025
Summary
Elephant Protection Act of 1979 - Prohibits the importation into or exportation from the United States of African elephants or elephant products. Prohibits the acquisition, transportation, or sale in interstate commerce of such products imported in violation of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant permits for the importation or exportation of elephants and elephant products if: (1) the Secretary finds the wildlife management authorities of the nation in which such products originate are developing an elephant conservation program according to specified criteria; (2) the products can be traced as coming from a particular nation; or (3) such products are for zoological, educational, or scientific purposes or to enhance elephant propagation. Prescribes conditions for the granting of such permits. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress concerning the granting of such permits. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the payment of rewards to persons furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement furnishing information concerning violations of this Act. Grants specified search and seizure powers for enforcement of this Act by authorized persons. Provides for the forfeiture of elephants, elephant products, or vehicles aiding in the acquisition or transportation of such products contrary to the provisions of this Act. Supersedes the Endangered Species Act, the Tariff Act, and State laws regarding elephant and elephant products.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
28 June 1979
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Source: IntroReferral
28 June 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
28 June 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
27 November 1979
Introduced
Referred jointly to House Committees on Foreign Relations; and Ways and Means.
Source: IntroReferral
27 November 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with amendment, H. Rept. 96-661 (Part I).
Source: Committee
27 November 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries with amendment, H. Rept. 96-661 (Part I).
Source: Committee
14 December 1979
Discharge
Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged in House.
Source: Discharge
14 December 1979
Committee
Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged in House.
Source: Committee
14 December 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Ways and Means with amendment, H. Rept. 96-661 (Part II).
Source: Committee
14 December 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Ways and Means with amendment, H. Rept. 96-661 (Part II).
Source: Committee
19 December 1979
Passed
Measure passed House, amended.
Source: Floor
19 December 1979
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended.
Source: Floor
19 December 1979
Floor
Measure called up by unanimous consent in House.
Source: Floor
22 January 1980
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
Source: IntroReferral
12 March 1980
Introduced
Rereferred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Source: IntroReferral
12 March 1980
Discharge
Committee on Finance discharged in Senate.
Source: Discharge
12 March 1980
Committee
Committee on Finance discharged in Senate.
Source: Committee
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.
Documents
4 official files
Leesvertaling
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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 19 December 1979
Reported to House with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 14 December 1979
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Reported to House amended, Part I
summary · EN · 27 November 1979
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 28 June 1979
Leesvertaling
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Sponsors
- Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17] · D · Sponsor
- Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Pritchard, Joel [R-WA-1] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Emery, David F. [R-ME-1] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Forsythe, Edwin B. [R-NJ-6] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Anderson, Glenn M. [D-CA-32] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. AuCoin, Les [D-OR-1] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Carr, Bob [D-MI-8] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Lowry, Mike [D-WA-7] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. McCloskey, Paul N., Jr. [R-CA-12] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Thompson, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-4] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Lloyd, James F. [D-CA-35] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Rousselot, John H. [R-CA-26] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3] · D · Cosponsor
- · ssev00 · Standing
- · ssfi00 · Standing
- · hsfa00 · Standing
- · hswm00 · Standing
- · hsmm00 · Standing
Related records
No cross-record relationships stored yet.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/house-bill/4685
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/96/hr/4685
- us · 96-hr-4685 · source updated 2 September 2025