UPDATE 5/28/25: Great job to all of those who testified and opposed this ban. South Carolina has a two-year session, but this bill failed to pass Committee during the first regular session (first year of the full session). This typically means the bill is dead, but it could be recalled or reintroduced during the second year.
UPDATE 3/19/25: The hearing was today, and South Carolina venomous keepers showed up to oppose. 16 herpetoculturists spoke in opposition to the bill, and many more were in the room. No one spoke in support. Those who testified represented the responsible reptile-keeping community very well. There was no vote today, and it was stated that there will be a second subcommittee hearing at which a vote will occur. If passed from the subcommittee, the bill would go before the full committee. Good job, and thank you to those who testified today and everyone who submitted written opposition.
UPDATE 3/10/25: This bill is scheduled to be heard by the Wildlife Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 19th at 12:30 PM. The location is: Blatt Building Room 409, 1105 Pendleton St, Columbia, SC 29201. Written testimony should be emailed to EllieHayes@schouse.gov. You can also email to register to speak. Send another comment even if you have already done so, and any stakeholders should attend the hearing to oppose in person. Read the agenda at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/agendas/126h15107.pdf.
South Carolina House Bill 3937 (H3937) was introduced on Feb. 6, 2025 by Representative Hixon. It will ban venomous reptiles (list below). The bill makes it illegal to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell within this State. Current owners can get permits and must register their animals within 90 days of the effective date. Permits must be renewed every three years and the cost is $150. Exemptions (but permit still required) apply to:
- Public facilities at a fixed facility that are open to the public for a time of no less than thirty hours per week for at least six months per year; and
- for bona fide research purposes, licensed medical or pharmaceutical facilities, institutions of higher learning, or other similar institutions at the department’s discretion.
Venomous reptiles banned, including hybrids: families Elapidae, Crotalidae, Viperidae, and Hydrophiidae; all reptiles in the genus Heloderma; all reptiles in the family Colubridae belonging to the genera: Rhabdophis, Balanophis, Macropisthodon, Boiga, Dispholidus, Thelotornis, and Thrasops, and all reptiles in the family Atractaspididae.
You can read the bill and get more details at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3937.htm. It was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs.
Sample Letter (be civil and professional)
South Carolina residents may email the entire Committee at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=C&C=H2000000050.
Email Rep. Hixon at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/email.php?T=M&C=849715808.
You may email each Committee Member by clicking their names at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/HouseAgriculture/.
email list: EllieHayes@schouse.gov, BillHixon@schouse.gov, elliehayes@scsenate.gov, HeatherBauer@schouse.gov, robertreese@schouse.gov, Pamelamack@schouse.gov, AnnieMcDaniel@schouse.gov, Marysmith@schouse.gov, LucasAtkinson@schouse.gov, PatrickHaddon@schouse.gov, DavidHiott@schouse.gov, DanielGibson@schouse.gov, MikeBurns@schouse.gov, RJMay@schouse.gov, sandrabryan@schouse.gov, BillChumley@schouse.gov, MikeNeese@schouse.gov, AlanMorgan@schouse.gov, lukerankin@schouse.gov, CalForrest@schouse.gov, sandrabryan@schouse.gov, RobHarris@schouse.gov, charleshartz@schouse.gov, Lucyscoville@scsenate.gov, AprilCromer@schouse.gov
email subject line: NO to H3937
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee Members,
I oppose House Bill 3937 as a South Carolina responsible animal owner. This bill does nothing more than punish responsible venomous reptile owners. It does not make South Carolina “safer,” as it does not protect South Carolina residents or its environment. It is a bill that does nothing more than impose a new tax on animal owners while destroying their investments and interests.
Strict bans often have unintended consequences that can actually endanger the public. Such legislation may lead to the release of animals by keepers acting out of fear or understandably frustrated by this discriminatory law. The emergence of a black market dominated by irresponsible individuals will also be created. In contrast, responsible keepers willingly comply with regulations that promote safety and accountability.
Additionally, the genus Heloderma should not be included in this ban. These lizard species are not as concerning as the listed venomous snakes. The same is true for the Boiga genus of snakes, which should also be removed.
Please stop or heavily amend H3937 to allow good keepers to continue working with these animals through regulation or a permit process, or stop it altogether. The bill is unjust, overreaching, and nothing more than collective punishment that penalizes responsible people due to the actions of one or two people. Thank you, and have a good day.
YOUR NAME and SC city or zip code
