Sponsors (7)
The bill reduces public health risk by banning live nonhuman primate imports but shifts costs onto lawful primate-importing businesses and potentially onto taxpayers for enforcement and disposition.
The general public and importers of live nonhuman primates face reduced risk of zoonotic disease spillover because the bill blocks imports of live nonhuman primates, lowering the chance of new animal-to-human infections.
Zoos, specialty dealers, and other businesses that legally import nonhuman primates will lose revenue and likely face higher compliance costs due to the import ban and any new certification or regulatory requirements.
Taxpayers may incur additional costs to enforce the ban, carry out seizures and forfeitures, conduct rulemaking, and provide care or disposition for seized primates.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it unlawful to import live nonhuman primates into the U.S., with narrow exceptions for AZA-accredited placements and certified nonresearch transfers, and creates penalties and forfeiture.
Introduced April 23, 2026 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress April 23, 2026
Prohibits the importation of live nonhuman primates into the United States, with two narrow exceptions: imports for placement at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities and imports accompanied by a sworn certification that the animal will not be transferred for experiments, testing, or breeding for such uses. Customs must deny clearance for banned shipments; civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and forfeiture of unlawfully imported primates are authorized. The Treasury Secretary must write implementing regulations after public notice-and-comment within one year.