SB39 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Conservation and Natural Resources Department, regulation of public exhibition of wildlife, additional fee authorized, exemptions revised, Secs. 9-11-324, 9-11-328 am'd.
Summary: SB39 would let the Conservation Department set additional fees for wildlife public exhibition regulations, remove the traveling zoo exemption, and exempt four-year universities if they follow their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish reasonable and necessary fees to cover the costs of administering and enforcing wildlife public exhibition regulations, in addition to the existing $25 annual permit. It removes the exemption that privately owned traveling zoos are not subject to these regulations, bringing them under regulation. It grants an exemption for four-year universities, provided they follow their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Wildlife exhibitors and operators seeking public exhibition permits (including traveling zoos) who would face new or adjusted fees and must comply with the regulations.
Four-year colleges and universities that would be exempt if they follow their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.

Key Provisions
Authorizes the Commissioner to establish reasonable and necessary fees to cover administration and enforcement of wildlife public exhibition regulations, beyond the existing $25 permit.
Deletes the provision that privately owned traveling zoos are not subject to the wildlife public exhibition regulations (making them subject to regulation).
Exempts four-year universities from the regulations if they comply with their Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.
Takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Conservation and Natural Resources Department