PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERY HERPER YOU KNOW!

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION PENDING REGARDING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORTING VENOMOUS SNAKES OR LIVE CONSTRICTORS NOT INDIGENOUS TO THIS COUNTRY

PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERY HERPER YOU KNOW!

HI HERPERS:: WE NEED YOUR HELP ... The following House Bill has been introduced to the Texas Legislature by Representative Harvey Hilderbran, a Republican, who represents the Kerrville area in the House. This would affect all of those who own or possess or transport into this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor that is not indigenous to this country, (That's right, country, not county.) This proposed Bill would require permits from everyone who deals with these reptiles and will be enforced by Texas Parks & Wildlife.

A copy of this Bill in its entirety is below. It is up to us to stop this Bill in its tracks. Calls and emails to Rep. Hilderbran (who authored the Bill) have not been answered or returned.

Please participate in this important Legislation.

We need to send letters, emails, faxes or make phone calls to Rep. Harvey Hildebran as well as the members on this Committee. We also need to contact the House Representatives and Senators in our area, as well as the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House. And, it wouldn't hurt to contact each Member of the House and Senate. Anything and everything you can do will help.


1. The following lists the Representatives on this Committee for House Bill 1309. The addresses, phone, fax and emails are listed below.


COMMITTEE MEMBERS POSITION ON COMMITTEE CAPITOL ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS

DISTRICT ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS

Rep. Harvey Hilderbran (R)
Chairman
Room CAP GW.12
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0536
(512) 463-1449 Fax
e-MAIL

125 Lehmann Dr
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-2333
(830) 792-4289 Fax
County: Crockett, Sutton, Schliecher, Real, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Mason, Llano, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, Coleman, Runnels, Callahan


Rep. Edmund Kuempel (R)
Vice Chair
Room CAP 3N.06
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0602
(512) 480-0391 Fax
e-MAIL

523 E. Donegan #102
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 379-8732
County: Wilson, Guadalupe, Gonzales


Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D)
Budget & Oversight Chair
Room EXT E1.504
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0506
(512) 463-7864 Fax
e-MAIL
County: Travis (part)


Rep. Mark Homer (D)
Member
Room EXT E2.408
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0650
(512) 463-0575 Fax
e-MAIL

1849 Lamar
Paris, TX 75460
(903) 784-0977
County: Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, Titus, Red River


Rep. Donna Howard (D)
Member
Room EXT E2.812
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0631
(512) 463-0901 Fax
e-MAIL
County: Travis (part)


Rep. Mike O’Day (R)
Member
Room EXT E1.208
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0707
(800) 878-6826 Fax
e-MAIL

P. O. Box 2358
Pearland, TX 77588
(281) 997-8071
(281) 997-3686 Fax
County: Brazoria (part), Matagorda


Rep. Larry Phillips (R)
Member
Room EXT E2.604
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0297
(512) 463-1561 Fax
e-MAIL

421 North Crockett
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-7297
(903) 870-0066 Fax
County: Fannin, Grayson


2. ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES

GOVERNMENT POSITION AT LEGISLATURE CAPITOL ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS

Gov. Rick Perry
GOVERNOR
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Texas Callers: (800) 252-9600
Out of State Callers: (512) 463-1782
FAX: (512) 463-1849
http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact

Sen. David Dewhurst
LT. GOVERNOR
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Tel (512) 463-0001
http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/Contact/?PHPSESSID=0de29804f60e2b1e7e9f1ec7f7e1b769


Rep. Tom Craddick (R)
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Room CAP 2W.13
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-1000
(512) 463-7722 Fax
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=82&rep=tom.craddick


3. TEXAS RESIDENTS

The following link will take you to the name and pertinent information about each Member of the Texas House of Representatives. From there, you can search for the Members in your District by address and zip code.

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php


The following link will take you to the name and pertinent information about each Member of the Texas Senate. From there, you can search for the Members in your District by address and zip code.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Members/Members.aspx?Chamber=S



4. NON-TEXAS RESIDENTS

For those of you who reside outside of Texas, please send your letter, email, faxes to the Members of the above committee for House Bill 1309. This is just as important for you. If you attend any reptile shows in Texas, this could create a lot of problems and high costs, as no-doubt, the out-of-state residents will have to pay a higher permit fee. This also pertains to those of you who transport into Texas.



5. SAMPLE LETTER

This is a sample letter that you can send to the legislators. You can add or delete the contents, and add any other comments you may have. Remember, send us a copy and include photos if you have any. We need to act fast on this!

Dear Representative / Senator / Governor / Lt. Governor / Speaker of the House
__________________

We are a group of hobbyists who keep reptiles and we vehemently oppose your pending legistation, HB 1309.

We feel our rights to house or purchase ANY reptiles, whether indigenous or not to this country, should be without restraints or dictated by law. We are professionals, zoo curators, students, animal care technicians, breeders and hobbyists, plus we are represented by people from all walks of life.

The impending legislation HB 1309, would prohibit our passion and life long endeavor for caring or studying reptiles. This affects not only Texas residents, but people from other states or countries who bring non-native Texas snakes into Texas.

Did you ever stop to think that many children and adults who are allergic to dogs and cats have found an alternative with snakes and other reptiles? In fact, one of the most popular beginner snakes is the Ball Python which comes from Central Africa. Ball Pythons are a small species, are very hearty and require minimal care, as opposed to dogs and cats. Plus, we know of no one who is allergic to snakes and other reptiles!

What is your agenda behind this H.B. 1309? Who are the constituents who asked you to present this Bill?

We are a huge group of voters and we want our voices to be heard.

Your name

Your address

Your county (if in Texas)

6. This is a copy of the actual Bill which is now pending.

80R2369 KCR-D



By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 1309

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT relating to the possession or transportation of certain snakes that are not indigenous to this country; providing a penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subchapter V to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER V. NONINDIGENOUS SNAKE PERMIT

Sec. 43.851. PERMIT. (a) The commission by rule shall establish a permit that allows a permit holder to possess or transport in this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor that is not indigenous to this country.

(b) A permit under this subchapter is not required for:

(1) a state or county official performing an official duty;

(2) a licensed circus, carnival, menagerie, or zoo that possesses or transports a snake for exhibition or scientific purposes; or

(3) a research facility licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.) that possesses or transports a snake for scientific purposes.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not possess or transport in this state a snake described by Subsection (a) without a permit issued by the department under this subchapter.

Sec. 43.852. FEE FOR PERMIT. The commission shall set a fee for a permit issued under this subchapter.

Sec. 43.853. OFFENSE. A person who violates this subchapter commits an offense that is a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.

SECTION 2. (a) The Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt the rules necessary under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.

(b) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall begin issuing permits under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.

SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

(b) Sections 43.851(c) and 43.853, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, take effect January 1, 2008.