If approved it could lead to the closure of a local cat haven in Dunlap. Back in March a volunteer at the center was mauled to death by a lion, but the push for new laws started long before that attack.
Supporters of the bill say this is a big step forward in keeping the public safe, but one local wild animal park says that's just not true.
Project Survival's Cat Haven is home to 27 big cats like tigers, lions and jaguars. It's a non-profit organization working to save cats in the wild.
Dale Anderson, Director of Project Survival's Cat Haven said the park would essentially be shut down if the bill is passed.
"It's too broad as far as what it does and so we have issues with the bill because it includes organizations like ours," said Anderson.
The bill would ban the private possession and breeding of these categorized "big cats."
International Fund for Animal Welfare is spearheading the bill. They say a big problem is when people keep these wild cats as pets or exhibit them for profit.
"Very seemingly innocent endeavors, but are really really horrible for animal welfare, global conservation and of course public safety," said Tracy Coppola with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Anderson said it's frustrating to have to deal with Congress again on things that are already taken care of.
"We already have laws in effect that you can't have cats out in public, you can't have public contact with big cats...those laws are already there," said Anderson.
The animal welfare group says they're looking out for the well-being of the animals.
"True conservation isn't breeding the animals and then displaying them you know for public handling," said Coppola.
Anderson is compliant with all rules and regulations and says it's not right that they would try to eliminate all private organizations completely.
"When they start making legislation, the government makes broad stroke legislation and it encompasses people like us people, they don't make exceptions for us," said Anderson.
The bill would have to go through the House and Senate before any major changes are made.
Supporters of the bill say this is a big step forward in keeping the public safe, but one local wild animal park says that's just not true.
Project Survival's Cat Haven is home to 27 big cats like tigers, lions and jaguars. It's a non-profit organization working to save cats in the wild.
Dale Anderson, Director of Project Survival's Cat Haven said the park would essentially be shut down if the bill is passed.
"It's too broad as far as what it does and so we have issues with the bill because it includes organizations like ours," said Anderson.
The bill would ban the private possession and breeding of these categorized "big cats."
International Fund for Animal Welfare is spearheading the bill. They say a big problem is when people keep these wild cats as pets or exhibit them for profit.
"Very seemingly innocent endeavors, but are really really horrible for animal welfare, global conservation and of course public safety," said Tracy Coppola with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Anderson said it's frustrating to have to deal with Congress again on things that are already taken care of.
"We already have laws in effect that you can't have cats out in public, you can't have public contact with big cats...those laws are already there," said Anderson.
The animal welfare group says they're looking out for the well-being of the animals.
"True conservation isn't breeding the animals and then displaying them you know for public handling," said Coppola.
Anderson is compliant with all rules and regulations and says it's not right that they would try to eliminate all private organizations completely.
"When they start making legislation, the government makes broad stroke legislation and it encompasses people like us people, they don't make exceptions for us," said Anderson.
The bill would have to go through the House and Senate before any major changes are made.