Skip to main content
HR 656 103th Congress House

Marine Mammal Capture, Export, and Public Display Protection Act of 1993

Official title: To provide more effective protection for marine mammals.

Introduced: January 27, 1993 See on congress.gov
Animals Administrative procedureCrime and Law EnforcementDepartment of AgricultureEnvironmental Protection
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Export controlsExportsFines (Penalties)Foreign Trade and International FinanceGovernment paperworkLicensesMarine mammal protectionMarine mammalsResearchStandardsZoological research
This bill died when the 103rd Congress ended
It never became law before the 103rd Congress (1993–1994) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 12, 1993
Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Commerce, Marine Mammal Comm.
Feb 12, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Jan 27, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Jan 27, 1993
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action February 12, 1993

Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Commerce, Marine Mammal Comm.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Marine Mammal Capture, Export, and Public Display Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to require, instead of the penalty applicable under the AWA for a violation regarding a marine mammal, that a person be liable for a civil or criminal penalty under specified provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA).

Mandates review and, if appropriate, modifications to AWA standards regarding the care and habitat of marine mammals in captivity.

Amends the MMPA to direct the Secretaries of Commerce and Agriculture to jointly establish a system for tracking marine mammals taken in waters under U.S. jurisdiction or imported. Makes it unlawful to take any marine mammal before establishment of the system.

Makes it unlawful to export a marine mammal without a permit under this Act. Requires regulations under the MMPA for exporting as well as for taking and importing marine mammals. Authorizes issuance of export permits under the same requirements as taking and importing permits. Allows issuance of an export permit only: (1) to maintain or improve the health and well-being of the mammal; and (2) if the permit prohibits use of the mammal for any other purpose.

Modifies scientific research permit requirements regarding issuance, takings involving surgical procedures, lethal takings, release requirements, permanent marking of released mammals, and permit effective periods.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 656: Marine Mammal Capture, Export, and Public Display Protection Act of 1993. 103rd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-656/
MLA
"H.R. 656: Marine Mammal Capture, Export, and Public Display Protection Act of 1993." 103rd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-656/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 656, 103rd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-656/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 656: Marine Mammal Capture, Export, and Public Display Protection Act of 1993](https://openamerica.io/bill/103-HR-656/)
Report a problem