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Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act

USA119th CongressHR-4108| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
Jerrold Nadler

Jerrold Nadler

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (13)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to establish a comprehensive prohibition on the possession or use of body-gripping traps within the National Wildlife Refuge System. A body-gripping trap is defined broadly to include steel-jaw, leghold, kill-type, and snare traps, designed to physically restrain or kill wildlife, but specifically excludes cage or box traps and suitcase-type live beaver traps. Key exceptions to this prohibition allow Federal agencies to use such traps for controlling invasive species or protecting threatened or endangered species , provided all viable nonlethal methods have been explored and documented. Further exceptions apply to the System in Alaska and permit members of federally recognized Indian Tribes to use these traps for subsistence purposes. The dismantling of body-gripping traps is also exempt from the prohibition. Violations of this prohibition carry significant penalties, including civil fines of up to $500 per trap or use, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both. Additionally, any illegally possessed or used trap and any wildlife captured by it are subject to forfeiture to the United States, and convicted individuals must pay associated court costs. The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to issue necessary regulations within 120 days, and the amendments become effective 120 days after enactment.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5127
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4716
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5217
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act
Jun 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5127
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4716
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5217
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act


  • June 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act

USA119th CongressHR-4108| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
This bill amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to establish a comprehensive prohibition on the possession or use of body-gripping traps within the National Wildlife Refuge System. A body-gripping trap is defined broadly to include steel-jaw, leghold, kill-type, and snare traps, designed to physically restrain or kill wildlife, but specifically excludes cage or box traps and suitcase-type live beaver traps. Key exceptions to this prohibition allow Federal agencies to use such traps for controlling invasive species or protecting threatened or endangered species , provided all viable nonlethal methods have been explored and documented. Further exceptions apply to the System in Alaska and permit members of federally recognized Indian Tribes to use these traps for subsistence purposes. The dismantling of body-gripping traps is also exempt from the prohibition. Violations of this prohibition carry significant penalties, including civil fines of up to $500 per trap or use, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both. Additionally, any illegally possessed or used trap and any wildlife captured by it are subject to forfeiture to the United States, and convicted individuals must pay associated court costs. The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to issue necessary regulations within 120 days, and the amendments become effective 120 days after enactment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5127
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4716
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-5217
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act
Jun 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5127
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4716
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-5217
    Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act


  • June 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jerrold Nadler

Jerrold Nadler

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (13)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted