I guess I'll have to declare myself as "The Willa Zoo"!

ATTENTION TEXAS REPTILE OWNERS!
Texas Legislation H 1309 Regulates the Possession of "Dangerous" Reptiles
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This proposed legislation is absolutely ridiculous. It means that if you own a ball python, which gets to be about 4-5 feet long and could only kill something as big as a guinea pig, you'll have to have a permit for it.

Don't get me wrong, I would agree with needing permits for venomous snakes and very large constrictors, but the fact that this bill is so broad as to include ALL constrictors, even small ones, just screams that it was not thought through. It appears to be very "Peta" like in it's coverage of ALL of these animals.

If you disagree with this legislation like I do, please write some letters expressing your opinions. I've put the actual legislation below, along with contact information.

Oy. Willa Zoo, here we come.


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Bill Description: If passed, this bill would strengthen existing law governing the private possession of poisonous reptiles. Existing wildlife regulations would be modified to require a permit in order to possess or transport non-indigenous live venomous snakes and live constrictor snakes. The permit requirement would not apply to circuses, zoos, and state or county officials.

Bill: HB 1309
Legislative Session: 80(R)
Council Document: 80R 2369 KCR-D
Add to Bill List
Last Action: 02/14/2007 H Referred to Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Caption Version: Introduced Caption Text: Relating to the possession or transportation of certain snakes that are not indigenous to this country; providing a penalty.
Author: Hilderbran

Subjects:
Animals (I0035)
Parks & Wildlife--General (I0585)
Parks & Wildlife--Hunting & Fishing (I0560) Parks & Wildlife--Licenses (I0565) PERMITS (S0011) House Committee: Culture, Recreation, & Tourism

Status: In committee

Actions: (descending date order)
H Referred to Culture, Recreation, and Tourism 02/14/2007 page 459
H Read first time 02/14/2007 page 459
H Filed 02/09/2007

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.

======================
Address Letters to:

The Honorable ____________
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

The Honorable ____________
Texas Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711


Write the Governor at:

Governor Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
512-463-2000
512-463-1849 fax
www.governor.state.tx.us/contact

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