Missouri legislature isn't monkeying around with Non-human Primate Act
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Missouri legislature isn't monkeying around with Non-human Primate Act

Date: March 4, 2013
By: Taylor Beck
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 284

Intro: 
While some Missouri lawmakers debated Voter ID laws, a House committee heard a bill Monday to create stricter rules....for monkey ownership.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill creates the Non-human Primate Act, which requires those who have great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase a permit through the state to help curb violent monkey attacks, which in the past have left some blind or disformed.

Some primate owners said they worried the permits and rules would be so expensive they may have to give up their animals or move out-of-state. 

Jake Hummel, House Minority Floor Leader sponsors the bill and said the bill actually lowers the permit price. 

Actuality:  HUMML.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "our intent is not to regulate them out of business, it's to put in some basic safeguards."

Several primate owners spoke in opposition of the bill, saying they already have to comply with strict federal and local guidelines.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro: 
Zoo officials and monkey owners butted heads at a House Local Government committee hearing Monday on a bill to create stricter primate ownership laws.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The House Local Government committee heard a bill which requires those with great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase permits to help prevent monkey attacks.

St. Louis and Kansas City Zoo officials spoke in favor of the bill. 

They cited recent problems like the massive exotic animal escape in Ohio a few years ago as incidents the bill could prevent.

Several private primate owners like Connie Casey said they disagreed.

Actuality:  CASEY.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "I really don't think there is an overabundance of escapes ..and as one of the others that testified. there are so many more escapes in zoos."

Opponents said there are few incidents and a lot of regulation and adding a state laws is a waste.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro: 
While other committees debated voter fraud and insurance Monday, the House Local Government committee focused on apes and baboons.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill requires those with great apes or baboons to apply for and purchase permits in an effort to curb dangerous interactions between humans and monkeys.

In 2009 a chimpanzee attacked a woman, which blinded her and disfigured her face.

But, opponents of the bill say monkey ownership is already heavily regulated enough through the federal and local government.

Debbie Kolwick has owned primates for thirty years and she said regulations from local and federal government are already very extensive.

Actuality:  k olwick.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "We have to have an escape plan, we have to have everything the zoo has, ourselves."

The bill sponsor, House Floor Minority Leader Jake Hummel, says his bill would actually decrease the current cost to get a permit. 

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.