ALERT: Arizona – Warrantless Animal Seizure

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 2/15/24: The Arizona warrantless seizure bill was on today's agenda for the Senate Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee but it was not heard. Basically, it was tabled/held with no vote due to overwhelming public opposition. Thank you to everyone who submitted comments and made legislators aware of the unintended consequences of this bill. Senator Bolick of Arizona has ...

ALERT: Colorado Pet Tax for ALL Animals

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE: After receiving overwhelming opposition from concerned Coloradans and animal welfare and interest organizations, the bill sponsor heard the opposition loud and clear and pulled the bill. Thank you to everyone who opposed this pet tax and informed legislators about its unjust consequences!  Colorado House Bill 24-1163 enters a new level of big government and big taxes. The bill will add a ...

South Carolina H4874

USARK Newsletter /
Representative Hixon has introduced H4874 which is a bill that creates Chapter 17 under Title 50 of the SC Code. Reading the bill is quite alarming but please allow us to explain the intent of the bill. Briefly, the bill will allow the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to create a permit system for wildlife rehabilitators, educators, exhibitors, ...

ALERT: Washington Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE: These bills are dead for the year as they failed to be assigned hearings and clear Commitee before the cutoff date. Due to the many stakeholders who voiced their opposition, the bills were unfavorable in the legislature. Thank you to everyone who engaged and opposed these bills! Postcard Directions Just click this link and then mail postcards (three per Washington resident) to your ...

ALERT: Florida Ban on All Iguanas

USARK Newsletter /
HB1033 seeks to expand the ban on green iguanas (Iguana iguana) to include all iguana species. This would mean that rock iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas, and all other species would be prohibited species. It does this by changing statute from reading "Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)" to just "Iguana." The bill would also ban the sales of dogs and cats ...

ALERT: Louisiana Herp Regulation Overhaul

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 3/7/24: After hearing the concerns from herpetoculturists, the Commissioners voted to table the proposal (meaning it did not pass and will be heard at a later date). Thank you to those who submitted comments and especially those who could make it today to speak at the hearing. Staff was directed to collect more information and bring this issue back ...

Lacey Act amendments included in House report

Uncategorized /
Lacey Act amendments regarding injurious species are included in a report (read it at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/23-reset-prevent-rebuild-report-with-lacey.pdf) from the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. It is titled, Reset, Prevent, Build: A Strategy to Win America's Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party. This is not exactly the title of a document where these Lacey Act ...

CITES Amphibian Trade Survey

USARK Newsletter /
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is conducting a review of the global amphibian trade. As part of this effort, CITES and The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have developed a questionnaire to gather information on amphibians, including the following: the levels of international trade in amphibians (legal and illegal); ...

Gary Bagnall Resigns as Chairman of the Board

USARK Newsletter /
Gary Bagnall, the founder and CEO of Zoo Med, has played an integral role in USARK for more than fourteen years and was most recently serving as USARK’s Chairman of the Board. After so much time and attention devoted to ensuring USARK could succeed, Gary has decided to resign from the Board and focus his energy on other projects. One ...

ALERT: ESA listing for two reptile species and two others

USARK Newsletter /
Borneo earless monitor petition: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/earless-petition.pdf Borneo earless monitor 90-day finding review form: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/90-day-finding-earless.pdf Blue tree monitor 90-day finding review form: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/90-DAY-FINDING-blue-tree.pdf UPDATE 8/17/23: This has been posted in the Federal register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/17/2023-17726/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-90-day-findings-for-five-species. FWS will begin its status reviews of these species to determine if ESA-listings are warranted. At this time, FWS requests scientific and commercial data and other information ...

ESA Modernization Bills

USARK Newsletter /
Endangered Species Act Modernization Bills The Saving America’s Vulnerable Endangered Species Act, or SAVES Act, has been re-introduced this session in both the Senate and House. S771 and HR1558 would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to prohibit the listing of living nonnative species as threatened or endangered species. S771 was introduced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz (Texas). HR1558 was ...

APHIS Nonnative Herp Environmental Assessment Comment Period

USARK Newsletter /
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has posted the below. We will have more details soon: NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY – Florida: Wildlife Services (WS), a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) titled “Managing Damage and Threats of Damage Caused by ...

ALERT: Ann Arbor, Michigan Animal Sales Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 6/20/23: The ordinance passed. Only two people spoke in opposition (USARK and one local pet owner) while several spoke in support including four people from a single animal rights group. One Council member mentioned that almost every local person who sent emails supported the ban. Directions for speaking on June 20: Call 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099, then enter Meeting ID 942 1273 ...

ALERT: Austin, TX Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 7/11/23: The Austin Animal Advisory Commission has made several changes to the proposal, including an exemption for an "owner of a household pet who derives less than the majority of their income from exhibiting an animal." The Commission (not the City Council) passed this language on 7/10/23. Read it at https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=411678. UPDATE 6/12: The Austin Animal Advisory Commission voted to ...

Lacey Act Amendments FAQ 2023

USARK Newsletter /
This is a compilation of questions and incorrect statements from social media and emails. Our original alert will always be maintained/updated at https://usark.org/23lacey/ Updates will be made to this FAQ as necessary. Q: How do we know about these issues? Our legislative alert system found these bills/reports and we posted our alert ASAP. Q. What are the bill numbers? The ...

ALERT: Lacey Act Amendments

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE: Luna's HR4922 has 5 cosponsors: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Carl, Jerry L. [R-AL-1], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2] UPDATE July 24, 2023: Representative Anna Paulina Luna (FL) has introduced HR4922 which is a companion bill to Rubio's S1614, also titled "Lacey Act Amendments of 2023." Without informing on ...

ALERT: Tennessee Regulation Changes

USARK Newsletter /
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is amending Rule 1660-01-18 which covers animals kept under human care. The biggest concern is the requirement to tattoo or microchip any Class II animal (Tennessee native species) that is being propagated/bred. This poses health and animal cruelty risks for some species. Please note that much of this text (link below) is already current ...

FWC Comment Deadline!

Uncategorized /
Shared from USARK Florida: We encourage every Florida animal owner to email the Commissioners regarding the “whitelist” proposal that will be heard during the May 11 Commission meeting. Comments must be submitted by 5:00 on Friday, May 5. Please remember to be civil and professional, but feel free to make your concerns known. Submit your comments here: https://myfwc.wufoo.com/forms/s1g2xh6f009a30i/. If this ...

ALERT: Richmond, VA

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 7/24: The ordinance passed but was amended with changes such as a grandfathering clause and other provisions pushed by stakeholders, including USARK. UPDATE 5/23: This is the grandfathering amendment that has been added to the proposal: https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/23-Richmond-amendment.pdf. NOTE: Current through 1:00 PM EST on May 24, there is an article from the Richmond Times Dispatch stating that this proposal/ban ...

ALERT: Denison, Iowa

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 5/3/23: This proposal has been stopped! Thank you to everyone who opposed this horrible and overreaching ordinance! This was easily one of the worst bans we have seen introduced. Even though this was a small city in Iowa and may not have affected you, these bad bans can spread quickly if they get passed anywhere. That is why it ...

New York: additional species ban

Uncategorized /
UPDATE 4/14/23: A hearing has just been scheduled for Monday, April 17 at 12:30. Location: Capitol Building room 123 CAP, State St. and, Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224 Senate Bill 6211 makes some changes to the "wild animal" law in New York. It is sponsored by Senator Monica R. Martinez with Senator Andrew Gounardes as a co-sponsor. The was referred to ...

Suspension – All Commercial Trade in CITES species with Mexico

Uncategorized /
NOTICE TO THE WILDLIFE IMPORT/EXPORT COMMUNITY Subject: CITES Trade Suspension – All Commercial Trade in CITES species with Mexico Background: The Endangered Species Act prohibits trade in specimens contrary to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Article I of the Convention defines “trade” to mean export, re-export, import, and introduction from the sea ...

ALERT: Illinois turtle trap bill

USARK Newsletter /
Update 3/30: The bill was "postponed" at today's hearing. The bill is likely dead but we will need to watch for other action on this issue. Thank you to everyone who opposed this bill! The formal "witness slip" opposition to support ratio was 64 to 1. Update 3/24: A hearing has been scheduled for March 30. Now is the time ...

ALERT: Houghton, MI

Uncategorized /
The Houghton City Council has proposed an animal ordinance covering many species, including chickens and bees. There is a rather vague definition for "exotic animal" (see below) that could lead to enforcement on some commonly kept animals. Bird feeding and other restrictions are even included. Please note that the list of animals included in the definition of "exotic animal" is ...

ALERT: Texas snake and wild animal permit notifications

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 5/11/23: This bill failed to advance before the deadline. It is now dead for this session! Thank you to everyone who engaged in the process! UPDATE 4/14: This bill was heard again without notice and without being placed on the meeting agenda. The sponsor introduced an amended bill during the meeting, so no public notice was given. It passed ...

ALERT: Illinois Animal Program Ban

Uncategorized /
UPDATE 3/10: The bill was sent to the Rules Committee (Illinois Rule 19(a)). UPDATE 3/1: HB3695 has been placed on the hearing agendas on both March 7 and March 9. Now is the time to voice your opposition by submitting a "Witness Slip." Do so at both links below (slip for March 7 and slip for March 9). Click here: ...

ALERT: Rhode Island Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE: The Committee recommended that the bill be held for further study (i.e. it was tabled). UPDATE: This bill has a hearing on March 2 at 4:00 PM. Room 101 in the State House, 82 Smith St., Providence, RI 02903. First step. Go here and send your opposition quickly. Then return to this page and follow the Sample Messaging steps below. QUICK ...

ALERT: Oregon Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 4/4: Oregon had an April 4 deadline for bills to clear their first Committee. This bill failed to meet that deadline so it is now dead. Thank you to everyone who testified and opposed this bill! UPDATE 3/25: This bill was removed from the 3/30 meeting agenda and it should be dead for this session. Thank you to everyone ...

ALERT: New Mexico Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 2/8: After a long debate and discussion, this bill was tabled again. It could return this session but hopefully, that is all for this year. Thank you to everyone who voiced opposition! Your voices made a difference! UPDATE: This bill has a second hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 1:30 MST. You may voice opposition via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9124526531 ...

ALERT: Connecticut Animal Program Ban

USARK Newsletter /
UPDATE 3/10: The bill was held/tabled at today's Committee meeting. UPDATE 3/9: With short notice, HB5123 should be having a Committee vote tomorrow (3/10). This is a Committee Meeting and not a Public Hearing (which happened on Feb. 27). Any stakeholders should be emailing (again) and/or calling Committee member offices today and asking them to vote NO on HB5123. You ...

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