PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Prohibit the Use of Elephants in Traveling Animal Acts
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  8 MRSA §471, sub-§5-A  is enacted to read:
 
5-A.  Mobile or traveling housing facility.     "Mobile or traveling housing facility" means a transporting vehicle such as a truck, trailer or railway car used to transport or house animals while traveling for exhibition or other performance.
Sec. 2.  8 MRSA §471, sub-§7-A  is enacted to read:
 
7-A.  Performance.     "Performance" means any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, amusement show, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race or similar undertaking in which animals are required to perform tricks, give rides or participate as accompaniments for the entertainment, amusement or benefit of a live audience.
Sec. 3.  8 MRSA §471, sub-§9  is enacted to read:
 
9.  Traveling animal act.     "Traveling animal act" means any performance of animals when animals are transported to, from or between locations for the purpose of the performance in a mobile or traveling housing facility.
Sec. 4.  8 MRSA §477  is enacted to read:
§ 477. Use of elephants in traveling animal acts prohibited
 
1.  Prohibition.     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person may not allow the participation of an elephant in a traveling animal act.
 
2.  Violation.     A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each violation may be adjudged.
 
3.  Enforcement; rules.     An officer or agent authorized by the commissioner or a law enforcement officer of the State or of any unit of local government within the State may enforce the provisions of this section. The commissioner may adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A relating to the implementation of this section.
Sec. 5. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2018.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits the use of elephants as performers in traveling animal acts, effective January 1, 2018.