Animals: exotic; breeding license requirements; modify. Amends sec. 22a of 2000 PA 274 (MCL 287.1122a).
Summary
HB 5092 amends Michigan’s large carnivore law to create a narrow pathway for certain facilities to obtain a breeding license for large carnivores. To qualify, an applicant must be a for-profit or nonprofit business whose primary purpose is public education or exhibition of animals, hold a federal Class C license under USDA regulations, have maintained that license in good standing for the previous five years, and comply with all applicable federal standards. The bill also requires that the facility not allow patrons to have direct contact with large carnivores and prohibits sales of large carnivores except to another person who meets the same statutory requirements.
The bill defines “good standing” to mean the applicant has not had a federal or state license suspended or revoked and has not been subject to a cease and desist order. It takes immediate effect, meaning the changes became operative upon approval. In practical terms, the bill modifies the existing state framework governing ownership, possession, and care of large carnivores by allowing a limited class of exhibitors to seek breeding authorization while preserving restrictions on public contact and transfer of animals.
Impact
HB 5092 changes section 22a of the Michigan large carnivore statute (2000 PA 274, MCL 287.1122a) by adding specific eligibility criteria for breeding licenses. It affects businesses that exhibit large carnivores to the public, federal Class C licensees regulated under USDA rules, and the Department of Agriculture or other state agency responsible for licensing. The bill does not broadly deregulate large carnivore breeding; instead, it creates a tightly defined exception within the existing prohibition and regulatory scheme.
Sentiment
The voting record suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the House 104-2 and the Senate 33-3, and committee reports were favorable or recommended without amendment. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the strong margins indicate the measure was generally viewed positively by lawmakers.
Contention
The main policy tension appears to be between allowing limited breeding by accredited exhibition facilities and maintaining strict animal welfare and public safety protections. Supporters likely favored a controlled exception for qualified exhibitors with long-standing federal compliance, while any opposition may have centered on concerns about breeding large carnivores at all, the risk of future ownership expansion, or the adequacy of safeguards against direct public contact and resale. The bill’s narrow eligibility rules and prohibition on sales except to similarly qualified entities appear designed to address those concerns.
Medical marihuana: licenses; sanctions against former licensees; allow under certain circumstances. Amends secs. 102 & 402 of 2016 PA 281 (MCL 333.27102 & 333.27402).
An act to amend Sections 2701, 2708, 2709, 2730, 2737, 2740, 2746.51, 2746.53, 2760.1, 2770.11, 2785, 2786, 2786.3, 2787, 2788, 2796, 2811.5, 2830.7, 2835, 2836.3, 2837.103, and 2838.2 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.