H.R.55: Black Bear Protection Act of 1993

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 5, 1993

Black Bear Protection Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce under the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of American black bear viscera. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report to the Congress on the American black bear viscera trade. Requires the United States Trade Representative to discuss issues involving such trade with

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PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Bentley, Helen Delich [R-MD-2] · R–MD

Committees

Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Ways and Means Committee

37 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 5, 1993
Executive Comment Received from USTR.
Jan 25, 1993
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Interior, Treasury, USTR.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade and Environment.
Jan 25, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Jan 12, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Jan 5, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jan 5, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Jan 5, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jan 5, 1993
Introduced in House
Jan 5, 1993
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 5, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 181 · Black Bear Protection Act

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.55 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.55, 103rd Congress: Black Bear Protection Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/55

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr55/BILLS-103hr55ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.55 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.55 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.55, 103rd Congress: Black Bear Protection Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/55

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr55/BILLS-103hr55ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.55 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.55 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.55, 103rd Congress: Black Bear Protection Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/55

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr55/BILLS-103hr55ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.55 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.55 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.55, 103rd Congress: Black Bear Protection Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/55

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hr55/BILLS-103hr55ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:49Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.55 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.