Since 2013 there have been a variety of measures taken to reduce the amount of illegally-acquired ivory and rhino horn entering the United States and to prohibit wildlife parts from protected species from being sold if they don’t have proper provenance. There is currently another round of legislation being introduced in a number of state legislatures that supports some of these restrictions. If you live in the European Union you can consider supporting a ban on ivory exports from the EU.
In some cases restrictions are very broad and you might have also heard about restrictions placed on the sale of ivory-inlayed instruments, firearms, and knives (handles). If you don’t want that kind of thing in your state’s legislation then please, by all means, make your voice heard. Hopefully everyone’s goal is to support sensible legislation that would penalize and deter smuggling, sales of poached ivory or rhino horn, and to show that the United States, once one of the largest ivory consumers in the world, does not need to import products from illegally killed wildlife to meet consumer demand.
Please consider contacting your state congress people and voicing your opinion on whether the legislation should be support or the changes you would like made. If you don’t know how to contact your state’s legislators you can use this link or see the list below.
If you live in a state that is considering legislation (Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, D.C.) or not taking action (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) please consider contacting your state lawmakers and suggest that they propose or support similar legislation that would reduce illegal ivory and rhino horn entering the United States.
Active Legislation
Arkansas
Legislation: SB928 (PDF) sponsored by David Johnson.
Status: SB928
Contact your Arkansas State Senators.
California
Legislation: AB 96 (PDF version) sponsored by Toni Atkins.
Contact your California State Assembly Members
Connecticut
Legislation: H.B. 6955 introduced by Environment Committee, co-sponsored by Rep. Philip J. Miller and Sen. Carlo Leone.
Status: H.B. 6955
Contact your Connecticut State Legislators: Representatives, Senators, or use the search
Florida
Legislation: SB 1120 sponsored by Thad Altman.
Status: SB 1120
Contact your Florida State Senators.
Illinois
Legislation: SB1858 sponsored by Senators Linda Holmes, Melinda Bush, Julie A. Morrison, and Ira I. Silverstein.
Status: SB1858
Contact your Illinois State Senators, Representatives, or use the search.
Massachusetts
Legislation: H1275 (House docket #1935) sponsored by Lori A. Ehrlich and Jason M. Lewis.
Status: H1275
Contact your Massachusetts State Representatives.
New York
Legislation: Bill S4686-2015 sponsored by State Senator Tony Avella.
Contact your New York State Senators
Nevada
Legislation: SB398 sponsored by Senators Denis, Manendo, Parks, and Kihuen.
Status: SB398
Contact your Nevada State Senators.
Oregon
Legislation: S.B. 913 sponsored by Judiciary.
Status: S.B. 913
Contact your Oregon State Senators.
Rhode Island
Legislation: sponsored by Handy, Palangio, Serpa, and Fogarty.
Contact your Rhode Island State Representatives.
Vermont
Legislation: H.297 (H-0297) sponsored by State Representatives Kurt Wright, Joan G. Lenes, et. al.
Contact your Vermont State Representatives.
Stalled Legislation
Hawaii
Legislation: SB674 introduced by Espero, Keith-Agaran, Kahele, Nishihara.
Status: SB674
Contact your Hawaii State Representatives.
Iowa
Legislation: SF 30 sponsored by McCoy.
Status: SF 30
Contact your Iowa State Senators.
Maryland
Legislation: H.B. 713 (PDF) sponsored by Luedtke, et. al.
Status: H.B. 713
Contact your Maryland State Representatives.
Oklahoma
Legislation: H.B. 1787 (PDF) introduced by Mike Shelton.
Status: H.B. 1787
Contact your Oklahoma State Representatives.
Virginia
Legislation: SB 1215 sponsored by Adam P. Ebbin, et. al.
Status: SB 1215
Contact your Virginia State Senators.
Washington State
Legislation: H.B. 1131/S.B. 5241 (PDF) sponsored by Reps. Pettigrew, Buys, and Fitzgibbon; and Senators Litzow, Fain, Rolfes, and Pedersen.
Contact your Washington State Senators, Representatives, or find your legislators.