2/9/20 alerts

Florida ALERT

UPDATE: Both Senate bills have their second hearings this week. USARK FL, USARK, and stakeholders will be there! Keep the opposition pouring in! Full details at the Alert link below. Florida residents who have not yet done so should follow USARK FL immediately!

SB906: Senate Community Affairs Committee 2/10 @ 4:00PM
404 S Monroe St. Room 301
Tallahassee, FL 32399

SB1414: Senate Agriculture Committee 2/11 @ 10:00AM
404 S Monroe St. Room 301
Tallahassee, FL 32399

If you think a ban makes sense, please be sure to read our full alert. These bills would all yield many unintended consequences. These proposals are completely misguided and irrational.

It takes less than 10 minutes to learn what is happening and take action. Just click the links below!

ACTION ALERT direct link: www.usarkfl.org/post/2020ban

Facebook ALERT link: www.facebook.com/usarkfl/photos/a.166328888040966/166326754707846

West Virginia Alert
Bills to support!

Two House Bills (HB4678 and HB4756) have been introduced which would prevent herps from being listed as “Dangerous Wild Animals” in West Virginia. HB4756 would also block exotic birds from being listed.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2713865895362013/.

Georgia Alert

Senate Bill 338 amends Georgia’s current “pet dealer” law found at Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia. The current law covers “dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, or other animals customarily obtained as pets.” Fish would be excluded but the number of animals sold requiring someone to have a pet dealer license is decreased drastically (by 33%). Essentially, hobbyists having just one clutch or litter of some herps would be treated like pet shops and major businesses.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2704162519665684.

Illinois Alert

This is another “traveling animal act” ban. Illinois Senate Bill 2546 (SB2546) amends a current law and it is important to realize what is happening.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2701060699975866.

Colorado ALERT

BAN on educational outreach programs and more with any animal non-native to Colorado! A hearing has been scheduled for February 13 at 1:30 PM. The language of this bill is confusing for many people, so it is important to read our full alert. Additionally, we have been made aware that, as usual, the animal rights group(s) who wrote and are pushing this bill are intentionally misleading legislators regarding the consequences and impacts.

Full details and alert at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2696747393740530.

Washington State ALERT

A traveling animal act bill has been introduced. House bill 2824 (HB2824) will ban certain animals at “any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race, or similar undertaking…”

UPDATE: February 7 was the last day to pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor in house of origin. This bill failed to meet the session cutoff calendar deadline! Thank you to everyone who educated legislators and opposed this bill.

Full details and alert at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2689083401173596/?type=1&theater.

South Carolina ALERT

Two bills have been introduced (and have passed committees) with the stated purpose of protecting South Carolina’s native herp species, as there truly is a major problem with overcollection and animal trafficking in the state. The bills also affect activities by responsible keepers and breeders so stakeholders should be fully informed on what is happening and learn what they can do to be involved.

House Bill 4831 has passed the House and is headed to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2656458114436125.

Indiana Update

UPDATE: The bill did not receive a vote at either of the last two hearings and it seems it will once again die. Read about House bill 1200 at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2667524226662847.

Oklahoma ALERT

House bill 3604 is a “Dangerous Wild Animal” bill with an included species list.

LINK: www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2677132029035400

Los Angeles Alert

A last-minute amended proposal was snuck in without public notice and passed the Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee on Wednesday, February 5.

The new ordinance will now be heard before the full City Council on February 18.

You can read the latest draft ordinance at http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-1357_ord_draft_02-04-2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3MpY1X-aBGxDlK4dfy6M2c4aDIqqy3tSNDgVSayPMcC1Z2Y5GAMxcKB6Q.

NOTE that the new draft was not filed until Feb. 4 and the hearing and vote occurred on Feb. 5. This meant ZERO opportunity for stakeholder and public input.

L.A. City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 18.
JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ROOM 340, CITY HALL
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2375087185906554.

Crocodile Conservation Fundraiser and IgaunaFest Update