Pennsylvania House Bill 994 Prohibits Sale and Purchase of Protected Animal Parts and Products

Original title: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in game or wildlife protection, prohibiting the purchase, sale, offer for sale or possession with intent to sell covered animal parts or products; and imposing penalties.

Last action · June 25, 2025: Referred to GAME AND FISHERIES, June 25, 2025Sponsors: Leanne Krueger and 21 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Pennsylvania House Bill 994 prohibits the purchase, sale, offer for sale, or possession with intent to sell parts or products from specific protected animals, including elephants, rhinos, sea turtles, and big cats. The measure imposes civil penalties ranging from up to $5,000 to $20,000 for violations and takes effect in six months.

Why it matters

Retailers, antique dealers, and musical instrument sellers face civil fines up to $20,000 for commercial transactions involving covered animal parts unless specific antique, musical instrument, educational, or government exemptions apply.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Retail and wholesale establishments

Establishments face a legal presumption of intent to sell if they possess covered animal parts and are subject to civil penalties up to $20,000 for violations.

Directly affected

Antique and musical instrument sellers

Sellers must meet specific weight and provenance criteria to qualify for exemptions allowing the transfer of items containing covered animal parts.

Directly affected

Educational and scientific institutions

Tax-exempt institutions may apply for permits from the commission to purchase, sell, or possess covered animal parts for educational or scientific purposes.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What animals are covered under the purchase and sale ban?

The bill covers 24 categories of animals, including baleen whales, bonobos, cheetahs, chimpanzees, dolphins, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, hippopotamuses, jaguars, leopards, lions, mammoths, mastodons, orangutans, pandas, pangolins, polar bears, rays, rhinoceroses, sea turtles, sharks, tigers, and walruses.

Are antiques containing animal parts exempt from the prohibition?

Yes, antiques are exempt if the part is a fixed component, is not made wholly or primarily of the covered part, is documented to be at least 100 years old, and weighs less than 200 grams.

What are the penalties for violating the prohibition?

Civil penalties include fines up to $5,000 for a first violation under $250, up to $10,000 for a first violation over $250 or a subsequent violation under $250, and up to $20,000 for a second or subsequent violation exceeding $250.

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

11 actions

Jun 25, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to GAME AND FISHERIES, June 25, 2025
Jun 25, 2025Senate
In the Senate
Jun 24, 2025HouseFloor
Third consideration and final passage, June 24, 2025 (127-76)
Jun 24, 2025HouseCommittee
Re-reported as committed, June 24, 2025
Jun 23, 2025House
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 23, 2025
Jun 23, 2025HouseFloor
Second consideration, June 23, 2025

Show 5 earlier actions

Jun 16, 2025House
Removed from table, June 16, 2025
Jun 2, 2025House
Laid on the table, June 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025HouseIntroduced
First consideration, June 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported as committed, June 2, 2025
Mar 20, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to JUDICIARY, March 20, 2025

Version history

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