AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF SHARK FINNING.
HB 5012 prohibits the possession, sale, or distribution of shark fins in the state, effective October 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses selling shark fin products and consumers purchasing them, while exempting licensed fishermen who separate fins from lawfully landed sharks during food preparation (requiring immediate destruction of fins unless used for personal consumption or taxidermy). The bill also allows permits for scientific or educational use of shark fins through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This law excludes rays and smooth-hound sharks from its definition of "shark," aligning with existing regulations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Last action May 15, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Proposed Bill
→
Committee Bill
·
6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from a proposed bill (LCO No. 507) to a committee bill (LCO No. 3538) and underwent significant substantive changes. The original text was a simple prohibition on shark finning, while the committee version expanded it into a detailed new section with specific definitions, exceptions for licensed fishermen, permits for research/education, and enforcement procedures.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a simple prohibition to a comprehensive regulatory framework with defined terms, specific exemptions, and enforcement mechanisms.
DEFINITION
Added formal definitions for 'shark' and 'shark fin' to clarify what the law covers.
ELIGIBILITY
Created exceptions allowing licensed fishermen to separate fins during shark preparation if destroyed or used for personal consumption/taxidermy.
Added permits for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue exceptions for scientific research or educational purposes.
ENFORCEMENT
Established that violations are infractions with specific procedures for fines and legal proceedings.
TIMELINE
Set an effective date of October 1, 2025 for the new provisions.
TECHNICAL
Changed document numbering from proposed bill to committee bill and updated LCO numbers.
Floor votes · House May 13, 2025
How they voted
148–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 151
May 13, 2025
D
Democratic102
98% Yea
R
Republican49
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
lower
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
lower
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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