SB244 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Garlan GudgerSteve Livingston

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Large animals, sale, possession, transfer, and breeding of large wild cats, great apes, wolves, and non-native bears prohibited , except under certain conditions, criminal penalties established

Summary

SB244 would ban ownership, sale, transfer, and breeding of large wild cats, great apes, wolves, and non-native bears, with limited grandfathering and new regulatory requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes it illegal to possess, sell, transfer, or breed these animals, except for certain people who already lawfully owned them when the bill becomes effective. People who already have such animals must register with the local animal control authority by Jan 1, 2022, pay a registration fee, maintain records, keep the animals under prescribed conditions, and pay an annual per-animal fee. It also allows authorities to confiscate animals if there is immediate danger or other violations, and it outlines penalties for violators. Exemptions are provided for certain organizations and institutions, and local governments may adopt stricter rules.

Who It Affects

• Current possessors of large wild cats, great apes, wolves, or non-native bears as of the bill's effective date; they must register, maintain records, meet care standards, pay fees, and may not breed or acquire additional animals.
• Animal control authorities and law enforcement, who are empowered to enforce the act, handle registrations, oversee potential confiscations, and respond to escapes or violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of large wild cats, great apes, wolves, and non-native bears, with limited exceptions.
• Defines terms used in the act, including animal control authority, great ape, large wild cat, non-native bear, wolf, and possessor.
• Establishes a registration requirement for current possessors, annual per-animal fees, and records/contingency-planning obligations; prohibits breeding or acquiring new animals.
• Authorizes confiscation of listed animals under danger, imminent risk, or legal violation, with notice to the possessor and potential return conditions.
• Imposes penalties of a Class A misdemeanor: $1,000 fine for first offense and $5,000 for second offense.
• Provides exemptions for certain entities (animal protection organizations, enforcement and veterinary personnel, universities with Class R licenses, qualifying nonprofit sanctuaries, and intermediate handlers) and allows stricter local ordinances.
• Allows municipalities or counties to enact more restrictive local rules; specifies that local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 do not apply because the bill creates a new crime or amends the crime definition.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals