Bill
HB 2297
The bill creates a statewide permit system allowing private raccoon ownership with vaccination, housing, education, inspections, and enforcement to protect public and animal health
Status & key dates
- Introduced: January 31, 2025 (House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources).
- Committee hearing: Monday, February 17, 2025, 3:30 PM, Room 112‑N.
- Sponsor (as introduced): Representative Seiwert.
- Effective date (as drafted): upon publication in the statute book.
Purpose
- Create a statewide regulatory framework that allows private ownership of raccoons (Procyon lotor) by permit, while protecting public and animal health through vaccination, veterinary oversight, education, housing standards, breeding limits, inspections, fees and enforcement.
Main provisions
- Permit requirement: It is unlawful to possess a raccoon as a pet unless the owner has a raccoon ownership permit issued by the Animal Health Commissioner. Permits run through the permit year ending January 31 after issuance.
- Health and veterinary requirements:
- Mandatory vaccination against rabies and other transmissible diseases.
- Annual veterinary checkups each calendar year.
- Education: Applicants must complete a brief educational program on raccoon behavior, care and handling (program provided by the commissioner or approved animal welfare organizations) before permit issuance.
- Housing and care standards: Owners must provide safe, secure enclosures meeting minimum size and enrichment standards (standards to be set by the commissioner via rules).
- Breeding restrictions: Captive breeding is prohibited unless the person holds a USDA federal license for that purpose; the commissioner shall help connect permittees with federally licensed breeders when appropriate.
- Inspections: Premises and records may be inspected by the commissioner (or designees) up to once per permit year, with additional inspections permitted if violations are found or complaints received.
- Rehoming and euthanasia: If an owner is found unfit, the commissioner will work with KDWP, rescues or sanctuaries to rehome the raccoon; euthanasia is allowed if rehoming is impossible or the animal’s condition is critical.
- Local preemption: Cities, counties or contractors may not impose raccoon ownership rules stricter than state law; conflicting local ordinances are declared null and void.
- Fees and fines (commissioner-authorized, with listed maximums):
- Initial application: $100
- Annual renewal: $250
- Initial facility inspection: $150
- Follow-up inspection: $75 each
- Late renewal: $100
- Permit transfer: $150
- Seizure-related fine: $1,000 (to cover rehoming/care costs)
- Financial relief: Commissioner may defer renewal fees up to six months for extraordinary circumstances (illness, income loss, etc.); transfer fee may be waived to facilitate rehoming when appropriate.
- Rulemaking: Commissioner authorized to adopt implementing rules and regulations.
Who is affected
- Prospective and current private raccoon owners in Kansas (must comply or obtain permits).
- Animal Health Commissioner and Kansas Department of Agriculture (administration, inspections, rulemaking).
- Veterinarians, animal rescues/sanctuaries, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (rehoming coordination).
- Cities and counties (local ordinances preempted; potential fiscal/administrative impacts).
Fiscal note highlights (Division of the Budget — Feb 17, 2025)
- The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) anticipates regulatory costs that could be covered by permit and inspection fees established by the bill.
- KDA indicates posting public awareness materials online would have no fiscal effect; broader public awareness activities could require additional funding (not estimated).
- Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks reports no fiscal effect on its operations.
- League of Kansas Municipalities and Kansas Association of Counties note potential impacts on local expenditures or resources (estimates not provided).
- Any fiscal effects are not included in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
Notes
- The bill as introduced sets specific fee caps and enforcement measures but leaves many operational details (exact housing standards, curricula, inspection protocols) to agency rulemaking.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
