H.R. 4108

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4108 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4108

To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 
to prohibit the possession or use of body-gripping traps in the 
National Wildlife Refuge System, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 24, 2025

Mr. Nadler (for himself, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Cohen, Ms. DelBene, Mr. 
Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Meng, Ms. Norton, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Huffman, and Mr. 
Casten) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 
to prohibit the possession or use of body-gripping traps in the 
National Wildlife Refuge System, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act''.

SEC. 2. POSSESSION OR USE OF BODY-GRIPPING TRAP PROHIBITED.

(a) In General.--The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration 
Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 4(f), by striking ``this Act'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``this section''; and
(2) by inserting after section 4 the following:

``SEC. 4A. POSSESSION OR USE OF BODY-GRIPPING TRAP PROHIBITED.

``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person 
may not possess or use a body-gripping trap in the System.
``(b) Exceptions.--
``(1) Federal agency.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the 
possession or use of a body-gripping trap by a Federal agency--
``(A) to--
``(i) control an invasive species to 
achieve resource management objectives; or
``(ii) protect a species that--
``(I) is listed as threatened or 
endangered under the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
or
``(II) the Secretary has designated 
as a sensitive species; and
``(B) if--
``(i) such use is in accordance with 
Federal and State law; and
``(ii) all other viable nonlethal methods 
for achieving a goal described in subparagraph 
(A) have been thoroughly explored, described, 
and attempted and documentation of such 
activities is maintained at the relevant 
headquarters of the Federal agency that carried 
out such exploration, description, and attempt.
``(2) Dismantling.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the 
dismantling of body-gripping traps.
``(3) Alaska.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the System 
in Alaska.
``(4) Members of indian tribes.--Subsection (a) does not 
apply to the possession or use of a body-gripping trap by a 
member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe for subsistence 
purposes.
``(c) Penalties.--
``(1) In general.--A person who violates subsection (a) 
shall be subject to--
``(A) a civil fine of not more than $500 for--
``(i) each body-gripping trap possessed; 
and
``(ii) each use of a body-gripping trap;
``(B) imprisonment for not more than 180 days; or
``(C) both a civil fine and imprisonment in 
accordance with subparagraphs (A) and (B).
``(2) Adjustment for inflation.--The Secretary shall 
annually adjust the fine described in paragraph (1) to reflect 
the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers 
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department 
of Labor.
``(d) Forfeiture.--Any body-gripping trap that is possessed or used 
in violation of this section, and any wildlife captured through the use 
of such body-gripping trap, including a pelt or raw fur of such 
wildlife, shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States in 
accordance with the provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United States 
Code, relating to civil forfeitures.
``(e) Payment of Associated Court Costs.--A person found to be in 
violation of subsection (a) shall pay all associated court costs.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Body-gripping trap.--The term `body-gripping trap'--
``(A) means any device that is intended to kill or 
capture wildlife by physically restraining any part of 
the animal;
``(B) includes any--
``(i) steel-jaw, padded, or other modified 
leghold trap;
``(ii) kill-type trap;
``(iii) snare trap; or
``(iv) modified version of any trap 
described in clauses (i) through (iii); and
``(C) does not include any--
``(i) cage or box trap; or
``(ii) suitcase-type live beaver trap.
``(2) Invasive species.--The term `invasive species' means, 
with regard to a particular ecosystem, a non-native organism 
the introduction of which causes or is likely to cause economic 
or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant 
health.''.
(b) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior 
shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out the 
amendments made by subsection (a).
(2) Enforceability.--The enforceability of the amendments 
made by subsection (a) shall not be affected by a failure of 
the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations under 
paragraph (1).
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on the date that is 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this section.
<all>