The House Regulatory Reform Committee voted to report House Bill 50‑92, a measure that would amend Michigan’s Large Carnivore Act to clarify state standards for obtaining and maintaining breeding licenses at accredited zoos.

Supporters told the committee the change aligns state law with federal standards and will prevent unintended disruptions to long‑running species‑survival breeding programs.

Stone Kelly, legislative director for state Representative Matthew Bierlein, testified the bill “clarifies the standards for obtaining and maintaining a breeding license for large carnivores in Michigan” and allows a facility to apply for a state breeding license so long as it holds “a USDA Class C license and has maintained it in good standing for the previous five years.” Kelly said the change would give accredited zoos “clarity and predictability” to continue conservation and education work.

Amanda Hamlin, chief of staff for the Detroit Zoological Society, said Michigan is home to five Association of Zoos and Aquariums‑accredited facilities and that the current statute can block accredited zoos from participating in breeding programs after a USDA critical citation, even when the underlying issue is unrelated to large carnivores. Hamlin recounted a August 2024 incident in which a raccoon breached an aviary, prompting a USDA critical citation; she said the zoo made repairs and reported the issue but remains constrained by the citation’s effect on breeding eligibility. “We did receive a critical citation for that,” Hamlin said, adding that the Detroit Zoo has polar bear and lion breeding permits that expire in January 2026.

Andy McIntyre, chief operating officer for John Ball Zoo, described a 2023 incident in which a male pygmy hippo unexpectedly attacked a sitatunga during a physical introduction, a sequence that produced a USDA critical noncompliance citation. McIntyre said the zoo made changes, has been inspected four times since the incident with no items of concern, and successfully completed later introductions that produced a calf born Sept. 3. He told the committee similar critical citations could prevent the zoo from renewing breeding permits for Amur tigers and snow leopards that expire in December and February if the statutory language is not changed.

Provisions: Under the bill as described at the hearing, a facility would be eligible to apply for a Michigan breeding license only if it holds a USDA Class C license that has been in good standing for the prior five years, with “good standing” explained in testimony as meaning no suspensions, revocations or cease‑and‑desist orders in that period. Committee testimony also noted the bill would align state law with the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 and remove an unintended barrier created by how USDA citations are issued and recorded.

Committee action: Representative Linting moved to report the bill with recommendation; the roll call recorded the committee reporting the measure favorably and the clerk recorded the tally as 13 yays, 0 nays, 0 pass. The committee chair stated the motion prevailed and the bill will proceed with the committee’s recommendation.

Why it matters: Witnesses told the committee that without the change, accredited zoos that follow federal standards and assist national species‑survival plans could be barred from breeding programs because of unrelated USDA citations, potentially interrupting conservation work for endangered species. Testimony emphasized the time sensitivity for specific permits at the Detroit Zoo and John Ball Zoo that are approaching expiration.

Next steps: The committee reported House Bill 50‑92 with recommendation; the bill will be transmitted according to House rules for further consideration.