1 ______________________________ ______________________________
2 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Vincent C. Gray
3 ______________________________ ______________________________
4 Councilmember Robert White, Jr. Councilmember Charles Allen
5 ______________________________ ______________________________
6 Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
7 ______________________________ ______________________________
8 Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
9 ______________________________ ______________________________
10 Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Matthew Frumin
11
12 A BILL
13 ____________
14 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
15 ____________
16 To prohibit the sale of animal fur products.
17
18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
19 act may be cited as the “Fur Products Prohibition Act of 2023”.
20 Sec. 2. Definitions.
21 For purposes of this Act, the Term:
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22 (1) “Fur” means any animal skin or part thereof with hair, fleece, or fur fibers
23 attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state.
24 (2) “Fur product” means any article of clothing or covering, or any fashion
25 accessory, including, but not limited to, handbags, shoes, slippers, hats, earmuffs, scarves,
26 shawls, gloves, jewelry or key chains, and home accessories and décor, that is made in whole or
27 part of fur. The term “Fur product” does not include:
28 (A) An animal skin or part thereof that is to be converted into leather, or
29 which in processing will have the hair, fleece, or fur fiber completely removed;
30 (B) Cowhide with the hair attached thereto;
31 (C) Lambskin or sheepskin with the fleece attached thereto; or
32 (D) The pelt or skin of any animal that is preserved through taxidermy or
33 for the purpose of taxidermy.
34 (3) “Non-profit organization” means any corporation that is organized under 26
35 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3).
36 (4) “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association,
37 limited liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate.
38 (5) “Taxidermy” means the practice of preparing and preserving the skin of an
39 animal that is deceased and stuffing and mounting it in lifelike form.
40 (6) “Ultimate consumer” means an individual who buys a fur product for their
41 own use, or for the use of another, but not for resale or trade.
42 (7) “Used fur product” means a fur product that has been worn or used by an
43 ultimate consumer.
44 Sec. 3. Prohibition.
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45 (a) It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for
46 monetary or nonmonetary consideration any fur product in the District of Columbia. For
47 purposes of this Chapter, the sale of a fur product shall be deemed to occur in the District of
48 Columbia if:
49 (1) the buyer takes physical possession of the fur product in the District; or
50 (2) the seller is located in the District.
51 (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, it shall not be unlawful for a person to
52 sell offer for sale, display for sale, trade, or otherwise distribute for monetary or nonmonetary
53 consideration:
54 (1) A used fur product by an individual, non-profit organization or second-hand
55 store, including a pawn shop;
56 (2) A fur product required for use in religious practice; or
57 (3) A fur product where the activity is expressly authorized by federal law.
58 Sec. 4. Penalty.
59 A person who violates section 3 shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500;
60 provided:
61 (1) For a violation that occurs within one year of a previous violation, a civil
62 penalty of up to $750; and
63 (2) For a violation that occurs within one year of a second or subsequent
64 violation, a civil penalty of up to $1,000.
65 Sec. 5. Fiscal Impact Statement
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66 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal
67 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975,
68 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
69 Sec. 6. Effective date.
70 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
71 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as
72 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
73 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of
74 Columbia Register.
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