Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2015

Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2015

This bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to repeal the prohibition on importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing in interstate or foreign commerce: (1) fish or wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign law; or (2) plants taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign law, without the payment of appropriate royalties, taxes, or stumpage fees required by foreign law, or in violation of any limitation under foreign law that governs the export or transshipment of plants. The possession of those fish, wildlife, or plants within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States is allowed.

A cap of $200,000 is placed on a civil penalty for a knowing violation of the Act that involves fish, wildlife, or plants with a market value of $350 or more.

The bill also repeals: (1) criminal penalties under the Act; and (2) the authorization to suspend, modify, or cancel specified licenses or permits issued to any person who is convicted of a criminal violation of that Act.