Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the sale of ivory and rhino horn products, effective January 1, 2017.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell or import “ivory,” rhinoceros horn, an “ivory” product, or a rhinoceros horn product (Sec. 1).

• Defines “ivory” as all or part of a tusk or tooth, in raw or worked form, from an elephant or mammoth (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the transfer of ivory or rhinoceros products by donation, gift, or inheritance (Sec. 1).

• Exempts certain transactions including, but not limited to, the following transactions (Sec. 1):
• Sale to institutions of higher education;
• Sale to museums; and
• Sale to zoos.

• Exempts the sale of a gun or knife that contains ivory or rhinoceros product under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• The ivory or rhinoceros product is less than 20 percent of the gun or knife by volume; and
• The seller establishes by documentation that the gun or knife was manufactured before 1976.

• Exempts the sale of a musical instrument or a pick, bow, or other item designed for playing an instrument that contains ivory under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• The ivory is less than 20 percent of the instrument or item by volume; and
• The seller establishes by documentation that the instrument or item was manufactured by January 18, 1990, if it contains ivory from an elephant, or by the effective date of this bill if it contains ivory from a mammoth.

• Classifies a violation of this bill as a misdemeanor punishable by the following penalties (Sec. 1):
• Up to 30 days imprisonment and a fine equal to the greater of $1,250 or twice the fair market value of the ivory or rhinoceros product, for a first offense; and
• Up to 30 days imprisonment and a fine equal to the greater of $6,250 or twice the fair market value of the ivory or rhinoceros product, for a second or subsequent offense.

Full Bill Text