115th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms.
May 23, 2017
Mr. King (for himself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Exemption of exportation of certain echinoderms from permission and licensing requirements.
(a) Exemption.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that—
(1) fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) are fishery products exempt from the export permission requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); and
(2) any person may engage in business as an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) without procuring—
(A) permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); or
(B) an export license under subpart I of part 14 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(b) Covered fish or wildlife.—The fish or wildlife referred to in subsection (a) are members of the phylum Echinodermata that are commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers (including any products of those members of the phylum Echinodermata) that—
(1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);
(2) (A) are harvested in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States; or
(B) are processed in the United States; and
(A) exported for purposes of human or animal consumption; or
(B) taken in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes.