ATADA Members,

The Pennsylvania House is currently considering HB 994 which would impose severe restrictions on the purchase, sale or possession of objects made from or containing ivory (and certain other specified animal parts). If you sell covered objects in Pennsylvania, or source covered objects in Pennsylvania, I encourage you to read the pending HB 994 and to weigh in with PA legislators before the bill passes in its current form.

There are certain exemptions to the restrictions contained in HB 994, dependent upon the provenance and age of the ivory contained in an object. It is uncertain, however, what documentary proof will be required to satisfy the terms of the various exemptions. In addition, these exemptions will only apply if the total weight of the ivory contained in the object is less than 200 grams (slightly less than ½ pound). It appears that there are no exemptions to the ban on the purchase, sale or possession of objects made wholly or primarily of ivory (including most marine ivory). The PA law is clearly much stricter than applicable Federal law.

If you may be affected by PA House Bill 994, I suggest that you take a closer look at the proposed legislation:

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb994

If you don’t like what you are reading, contact your PA representative or the bill’s sponsors to express your concerns.

Finally, I’ve attached a July 14, 2025 article from Antiques and the Arts Weekly which provides further information.

https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/pa-house-bill-994-proposes-to-further-restrict-ivory-trade/

-Will Hughes

President, ATADA