← Back to Bills
H.R. 10867House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

SLOTHS Act of 2026

To prohibit the importation of certain species of sloth, and for other purposes.

Also known as Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm to Sloths Act of 2026

Sponsored by Maxwell FrostRep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL)
Introduced October 22, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 23, 2026 at 8:35 AM UTC

The SLOTHS Act of 2026 bans the import of any live sloth species covered by the law. It aims to protect sloths from illegal trade and restricts imports to only certain research or accredited breeding program situations. The rule applies to anyone who brings sloths into the United States, including private individuals, businesses, and institutions.

Key Provisions

  • Makes it illegal to import any live individual of a covered sloth species, except as allowed in the bill.
  • Allows import of dead sloth specimens for research if the importer provides satisfactory documentation to the Secretary of the Interior.
  • Allows import of live sloths for transfer to an accredited zoo, aquarium, or similar institution that participates in an approved breeding program, provided the animal was not taken from the wild after the law’s effective date.
  • Sets civil penalties up to $20,000 per violation, with notice and a hearing required before a penalty is assessed.
  • Sets criminal penalties up to $100,000 per violation for knowing violations.
  • Authorizes the Secretary to cancel any federal wildlife import/export licenses or permits held by violators.
  • Requires forfeiture of any illegally imported sloth to the United States, with customs laws applied to seizure and disposal.
  • Defines “covered institution” as an AZA‑accredited zoo, aquarium, or similar facility, and “covered sloth species” as any species in the suborder Folivora.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Ways and Means Committee

October 22, 2026

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Ways and Means Committee

October 22, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued October 22, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10867

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 22, 2026

Mr. Frost (for himself and Ms. Lee of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To prohibit the importation of certain species of sloth, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stopping Legalized Organized Trafficking and Harm to Sloths Act of 2026 or the SLOTHS Act of 2026.

2.

Prohibition on importation of certain species of sloth

(a)

In general

Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person to import any individual of a covered sloth species.

(b)

Exception

A person may import an individual of a covered sloth species, in whole or in part, if—

(1)
(A)

the individual or part thereof is dead; and

(B)

such importation is carried out for research purposes, as demonstrated by the person through documentation to the satisfaction of the Secretary; or

(2)
(A)

such importation is carried out—

(i)

to move the individual to a covered institution; and

(ii)

in accordance with a breeding program of a covered institution; and

(B)

the person demonstrates through documentation to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the individual was not taken in the wild after the date of the enactment of this section.

(c)

Penalties

(1)

Civil penalties

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any person that violates this section may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $20,000 for each such violation.

(B)

Notice

No civil penalty may be assessed under subparagraph (A) unless the person accused of the violation is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to the violation.

(C)

Separate offenses

Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which a person may have taken or been in possession of the said sloth.

(2)

Criminal penalties

(A)

In general

Whoever knowingly violates this section shall be fined not more than $100,000.

(B)

Separate offenses

Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district where the violation first occurred, but also in any district in which the defendant may have taken or been in possession of a sloth.

(3)

Cancellation of Federal authorizations

If a person is found to have violated this section, the Secretary shall cancel any Federal license, permit, or other authorization issued to the person by the Secretary that authorizes the person—

(A)

to import or export fish or wildlife or plants; or

(B)

to operate a quarantine station or rescue center for imported fish or wildlife or plants.

(4)

Secretary not liable for certain payments

The Secretary is not liable for the payment of any compensation, reimbursement, or damages in connection with the cancellation of any license, permit, or other authorization pursuant to this section.

(d)

Forfeiture

(1)

In general

Any individual of a covered sloth species imported contrary to the provisions of this section or any regulation issued pursuant thereto, shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States.

(2)

Application of customs laws

(A)

In general

All provisions of law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation of property for violation of the customs laws, the disposition of such property or the proceeds from the sale thereof, and the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture, shall apply to the seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, under the provisions of this section, insofar as such provisions of law are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.

(B)

Exercise of powers under customs laws

All powers, rights, and duties conferred or imposed by the customs laws upon any officer or employee of the Treasury Department may, for the purposes of this section, also be exercised or performed by the Secretary or by such persons as the Secretary may designate.

(C)

Issuance of warrants

Any warrant for search or seizure issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in accordance with rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(3)

Storage cost

Any person convicted of an offense, or assessed a civil penalty, under subsection (c) shall be liable for the costs incurred in the storage, care, and maintenance of any individual of a covered sloth species seized in connection with the violation concerned.

(4)

Civil forfeitures

Civil forfeitures under this section shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code.

(e)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered institution

The term covered institution means an institution, zoo, aquarium, or other facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

(2)

Covered sloth species

The term covered sloth species means a species of the suborder Folivora.

(3)

Fish or wildlife

The term fish or wildlife has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371).

(4)

Import

The term import has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371).

(5)

Person

The term person includes any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or other legal entity.

(6)

Plant

The term plant has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371).

(7)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.