RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

HB 49 bans the keeping or breeding of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) in captivity, primarily affecting marine parks and aquariums that currently house these animals. The bill allows exceptions for specific circumstances, such as research or rescue operations, but prohibits most commercial or public display facilities from maintaining cetaceans. It creates a new legal restriction on captivity, shifting current practices for these species. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the next legislative session, meaning it has not yet been enacted.