Lacey Act Amendments of 1981

Summary

Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 - Repeals provisions of Federal law prohibiting commerce in wildlife and fish (the Lacey and Black Bass Acts). Sets forth prohibitions against trade in any fish or wildlife taken or possed in violation of Federal, Indian tribal, State, or foreign law. Adds a new prohibition against trade in plants which are subject to State conservation of species laws. Increases the maximum civil penalties for violations to $10,000 (currently, $5,000 under the Lacey Act and $200 under the Black Bass Act). Establishes a strict liability penalty of up to $250 for transporting fish or wildlife in violation of the labeling requirements. Increases the maximum criminal penalties to a $20,000 fine and/or five years' imprisonment (currently, $10,000 and/or one year under the Lacey Act and $200 and/or three months' imprisonment). Stipulates that a conviction under this Act shall require only proof that the defendant knew there was conduct in violation of the underlying law, treaty, or regulation. Subjects all fish, wildlife, or plants traded in violation of this Act to forfeiture to the United States, regardless of the culpability requirements for civil penalties or criminal prosecution. Stipulates that vehicles and equipment shall be subject to such forfeiture only if the owner or conductor was a consenting party to the illegal act. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Treasury, the Interior, Commerce, and Transportation to utilize by agreement the personnel and facilities of any Federal or State agency or Indian tribe to enforce this Act. Permits any person authorized to enforce this Act to carry firearms, make an arrest without a warrant on reasonable grounds, execute and serve warrants, detain and inspect a vehicle or package upon entering or prior to leaving the United States, or hold a seized item pending the disposition of proceedings. Directs that, beginning in fiscal year 1982, the Secretaries of the Interior, the Treasury, or Commerce shall pay rewards to persons who furnish information leading to a conviction, assessment, or forfeiture for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to promulgate jointly regulations to implement the labeling requirements of this Act (governing packages containing fish or wildlife in interstate or foreign commerce) in accordance with existing commercial practices. Grants jurisdiction to the Federal district courts for actions arising under this Act. Transfers from the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe requirements and issue permits for the importation of wild animals and birds under humane and healthful conditions. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to direct the payment of rewards for information leading to a conviction, assessment or forfeiture (currently, such payments are discretionary).

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Timeline

1. 19 March 1981

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 19 March 1981

   Referred

   Referred to Subcommittee on Environmental Pollution.

   Source: Committee

3. 19 March 1981

   Introduced

   Read second time and referred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works by unanimous consent with instructions that once reported, the bill be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for not to exceed thirty calendar days.

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 1 April 1981

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Environmental Pollution. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

5. 11 May 1981

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 21 May 1981

   Introduced

   Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary pursuant to previous order.

   Source: IntroReferral

7. 21 May 1981

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee favorably with amendments. With written report No. 97-123.

   Source: Committee

8. 21 May 1981

   Reported

   Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee favorably with amendments. With written report No. 97-123.

   Source: Committee

9. 22 June 1981

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 178.

   Source: Calendars

10. 22 June 1981

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Voice Vote.

    Source: Discharge

11. 22 June 1981

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

12. 24 July 1981

    Floor

    Considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

13. 24 July 1981

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

14. 28 July 1981

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Justice, State, Treasury.

    Source: Committee

15. 28 July 1981

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.

    Source: IntroReferral

16. 21 September 1981

    Committee

    Favorable Executive Comment Received From State.

    Source: Committee

17. 1 October 1981

    Committee

    Favorable Executive Comment Received From Justice.

    Source: Committee

18. 4 November 1981

    Passed

    Passed House by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

19. 4 November 1981

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

20. 4 November 1981

    Floor

    Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

21. 4 November 1981

    Discharge

    House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

22. 4 November 1981

    Committee

    House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

23. 5 November 1981

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

24. 5 November 1981

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

25. 5 November 1981

    Floor

    Measure Signed in Senate.

    Source: Floor

26. 16 November 1981

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 97-79.

    Source: President

27. 16 November 1981

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

28. 16 November 1981

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

4 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 17 November 1981

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 24 July 1981

  Open at official source

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 21 May 1981

  Open at official source

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  Vertaal document

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 19 March 1981

  Open at official source

  Leesvertaling

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  Vertaal naarNL · DutchDE · GermanFR · FrenchES · SpanishIT · ItalianPL · PolishPT · PortugueseSV · SwedishDA · DanishFI · FinnishEL · GreekCS · CzechHU · HungarianRO · RomanianBG · BulgarianHR · CroatianSK · SlovakSL · SlovenianLT · LithuanianLV · LatvianET · EstonianGA · IrishMT · Maltese

  Vertaal document

  Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

• Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Baker, Howard H., Jr. [R-TN] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Randolph, Jennings [D-WV] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. McClure, James A. [R-ID] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Tsongas, Paul E. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Wallop, Malcolm [R-WY] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Mathias, Charles McC., Jr. [R-MD] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hayakawa, Samuel Ichiye [R-CA] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsmm00 · Standing
• · ssju00 · Standing
• · ssev00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Lacey Act Amendments of 1981
• amends ← To eliminate a mandatory second offender felony provision and for other purposes.
• amends ← Technical amendments.

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