23004440, 68A-6.007 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 23004440

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

CAPTIVE WILDLIFE

Overview

RULE:

68A-6.007

Elephant Rides

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to clarify rule language and increase public safety of elephant rides. The effects of the proposed draft rule will be clarified application requirements, improved enforcement, and increased public safety.

SUMMARY:

Current rules governing elephant rides in Florida lack clarity and allow for ambiguity in enforcement action. The proposed draft rule clarifies application requirements such as animal identification and safety records.  It also requires licensees to notify the Commission in advance when an elephant ride is to occur outside of a licensed facility. Handlers will be required to have free contact experience hours specific to each elephant, thus increasing public safety. Currently, rules do not establish specific barrier requirements for elephant rides, which has the potential to impact public safety. The proposed draft rule modification would require a boundary and barrier during public elephant rides. The boundary would form the ride delineation and the public barrier would prevent unauthorized contact from bystanders during public elephant rides. The draft rule provides specific requirements for public barrier height and material. Licensees who have been continuously licensed and authorized for elephant rides at the time the rule becomes effective would be grandfathered and authorized to conduct private elephant rides.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/6/2020 Vol. 46/46

COMMENTS:

From 3/6/2020 To 3/27/2020 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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