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S 263 105th Congress Senate

Bear Protection Act of 1998

Official title: A bill to prohibit the import, export, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, acquisition, and receipt of bear viscera or products that contain or claim t… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to prohibit the import, export, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, acquisition, and receipt of bear viscera or products that contain or claim to contain bear viscera, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 5, 1997 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Animals BarterBearsCongressCongressional reporting requirements
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Crime and Law EnforcementEndangered animalsEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental law enforcementExport controlsExportsFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Foreign Trade and International FinanceForfeitureGovernment Operations and PoliticsImport restrictionsImportsInformersInternational Affairs
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 31, 1998
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 518.
Jul 31, 1998
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-281.
Jul 22, 1998
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 7, 1998
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-840.
Feb 10, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1199)
Feb 5, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Feb 5, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action July 31, 1998

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 518.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bear Protection Act - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, purchasing, or possessing it with intent to sell or barter, transporting, acquiring, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties.

Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the United States Trade Representative to discuss issues involving such trade with representatives of countries that are the leading importers, exporters, or consumers of such products. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the progress of efforts to end illegal trade in bear viscera.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 619 Identical bill Bear Protection Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 4
D
Murray, Patty
Washington · Jun 25, 1998
 D
Reed, Jack
Rhode Island · Oct 20, 1997
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Mar 5, 1997
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Feb 5, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 263: Bear Protection Act of 1998. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-263/
MLA
"S. 263: Bear Protection Act of 1998." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-263/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 263, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-263/.
Markdown link
[S. 263: Bear Protection Act of 1998](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-263/)
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