Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts

PassedLatest action May 5, 2026

Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A5850, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A5850, the matching Assembly bill.

Amends the Environmental Conservation Law.

Committee

Codes · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Codes · New York State Senate, Environmental Conservation · New York State Assembly, Environmental Conservation · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To prohibit the use of certain wild animals in circuses.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMay 5, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A5850, the matching Assembly bill.
(53) (9) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Environmental Conservation
Senate Environmental ConservationFeb 24, 2026Result: passed
(10) (1) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateApr 8, 2025Result: passed
(52) (10) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Environmental Conservation
Senate Environmental ConservationFeb 25, 2025Result: passed
(10) (1) (0) (0)

The sponsor's argument

Why Nathalia Fernandez says this is needed

Circus animals that are removed from sprawling jungles are often housed in small crates and cages without the benefit of any accommodations resembling their natural habitats. Evidence has surfaced showing circus elephant trainers using tools such as bullhooks, blowtorches, metal bars, and whips to train elephants to perform stunts for circus shows. Stories of animal cruelty in circuses are numerous, including denial of proper food and water as well as failure to provide proper temperatures and climates for animals. While certain federal laws promise humane treatment of circus animals, these laws have traditionally gone unenforced, and have been difficult to sanction in court due to issues of legal standing. In 2000, in an attempt to enforce federal protections for circus animals, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals brought suit against Ringling Brothers' Circus. Nine years after filing the complaint, howev- er, the court dismissed the claim without ever discussing the issue of animal cruelty. New York must respond to these animal abuses in a more proactive way than the difficult-to-enforce federal regulations which have failed to effect true change. This bill would prohibit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation from issuing permits or licenses to entities seeking to place wild animals on display in any setting other than a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. By disallowing permit issuance to these entities, this bill would prevent animal abuses before they occur rather than simply providing redress after abuse has taken place.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

May 5, 2026
3RD Reading CAL.379
3RD READING CAL.379
NY Senate
May 5, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
May 5, 2026
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED BY A5850
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
Apr 28, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly

Show full history (20 earlier events)

Apr 28, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate
Mar 19, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading CAL.318
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.318
NY Assembly
Mar 17, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
Feb 26, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Feb 25, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Feb 24, 2026
1ST Report CAL.379
1ST REPORT CAL.379
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CODES
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate
Jun 5, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
Apr 8, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Apr 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CODES
NY Assembly
Apr 2, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES
NY Assembly
Mar 3, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Feb 26, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Amended
AMENDED 3629A
NY Senate
Feb 25, 2025
1ST Report CAL.397
1ST REPORT CAL.397
NY Senate
Feb 24, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Assembly
Jan 29, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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