Bill · H.R. 3456· House(119-HR-3456)
CHER Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/15/2025
- Last activity
- 5/15/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- Nicole Malliotakis
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CHER Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the display, breeding, and management of African and Asian elephants in zoological parks and safari parks. Under this bill, existing elephants must be transferred to authorized wildlife sanctuaries within three years of the Act's enactment. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with conducting a feasibility study regarding these transfers, including costs and logistics. Additionally, the Secretary may establish a grant program to help sanctuaries accommodate the incoming elephants. The legislation also mandates the development of public education materials regarding elephant welfare.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill promotes animal welfare and protects elephants from the negative effects of captivity.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill expands federal authority via the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate zoo and safari park operations.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
The bill imposes significant operational prohibitions and potential economic burdens on zoological and safari park owners.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Animal Welfare: The bill aims to address the physical and emotional trauma suffered by captive elephants, such as herdas, arthritis, and mental degradation, by moving them to facilities dedicated to lifelong care (Section 2).
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Support for Wildlife Sanctuaries: The Secretary may establish a grant program to help authorized wildlife sanctuaries accommodate the transferred elephants (Section 4).
-
Public Education: The Secretary will develop materials to educate the public on the welfare benefits of prohibiting elephant captivity (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Economic Burdens on Facilities: The bill notes that caring for an elephant in captivity can cost up to $100,000 per year (Section 2), and the Secretary must study the costs and logistics associated with the required transfers (Section 4).
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Impact on Zoological and Safari Parks: The Act prohibits these specific types of facilities from exhibiting, housing, managing, or breeding African or Asian elephants after a one-year period following enactment (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 5/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington