Sec. 4. Wildlife confiscations network
482 words·~2 min read·
/bill/119/hr/3538/ih/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall establish a voluntary, cooperative program, in partnership with a professional accrediting zoological association with existing capacity and expertise in wildlife confiscations, to assist Federal wildlife law enforcement agencies with the placement and care of confiscated animals, to be known as the Wildlife Confiscations Network . The Network shall— establish a cooperative and coordinated response protocol for the care and welfare of confiscated animals; create and maintain a database of qualified animal care facilities to provide immediate triage needs and long-term housing and care for confiscated animals; establish a committee within the Network to review and approve or reject applications for inclusion in the Network submitted under subsection
(c)by entities listed in paragraph
(1)of that subsection; and act as the single point of contact for Federal wildlife law enforcement agencies to assist in the placement and care of confiscated animals in qualified zoological facilities. Each of the following entities may submit to the Committee an application to join the Network: Wildlife sanctuaries. Aquarium facilities. Zoological facilities. Animal rescue organizations. Animal rehabilitation organizations. Universities. Nongovernmental organizations. An application submitted under paragraph
(1)by an entity listed in that paragraph shall contain information sufficient for the Committee to determine whether such entity— has, as determined by the Committee, the necessary credentials, including all necessary local, State, and Federal permits and licenses; and is an effective, responsible, and appropriate entity capable of assisting Federal wildlife law enforcement agencies in the placement and care of confiscated animals. The Committee shall review each application submitted under paragraph
(1)and approve or reject each such application. The Committee shall include representatives from each of the following entities, provided they are members of the Network: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The professional accrediting zoological association partner administering the Network as established under section 4(a). Zoological facility. Aquarium facility. Wildlife sanctuary. Nongovernmental organization. Wildlife rehabilitation facility, wildlife rescue organization, or other animal holding facility. The Secretary, in consultation with community stakeholders, including public and private entities that are actively involved in the care, rescue, and rehabilitation of any threatened or endangered species, and with advisement from the partnered professional accrediting zoological association, shall appoint each initial member to the Committee in accordance with paragraph (1). Except for the appointment of the initial members of the Committee under paragraph (2), each member of the Committee shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Committee through a call for service and application process implemented by the Committee. Of the initial members appointed to the Committee by the Secretary— 2 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 year; 2 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. Each member of the Committee elected under paragraph
(3)shall serve on the Committee for a term of 3 years.