UPDATE: S373 Python Ban

[EricRoscoe]

Today the Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) held a business meeting on S. 373. Committee Chair Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) presided. After brief statements the committee held a mark up session on S. 373, to amend title 18, United States Code, to add constrictor snakes of the species Python genera to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. Senator Inhofe expressed concerns about the bill. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) offered an amendment to limit the scope of the bill to only the 9 snakes addressed in the USGS report on large constrictors. Senator Cardin further agreed to work with Senator Inhofe to improve the bill prior to a vote on the Senate floor. The amendment was passed by voice vote. S373 was then voted out of Committee by voice vote with Senator Inhofe registering a NO vote.

S373 has now passed committee. It can not become law until it is voted on and passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives. There is still much work to be done prior to the Python Ban becoming law. S373 in its current form in unacceptable to USARK and the Reptile Nation. We will continue to work with Senator Inhofe, Senator Cardin and the EPW Committee Staff to shape the future of this bill. Please make an appointment to visit with your Senator and express your concerns with S373. Everyone needs to step up and make contact with your Senator. Let USARK know about your meeting. It is time to step up our game and show Washington we are serious about this. Continue the good fight. The Reptile Nation thanks Senator Inhofe for his even handed treatment of our industry.

Following is the statement of Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK):

Regarding S. 373, which is designed to ban the import and export of certain constrictor snakes, I believe we need to follow the process already established, which allows stakeholders to have input. Commonsense reforms are needed to prevent the proliferation, importation or breeding of species that would be harmful to ecosystems or human health and safety. We are setting a dangerous precedent of continuing to address these species outside of normal agency channels. Although I will not be offering an amendment today, I will support efforts on the floor to mitigate the negative effects to those snake owners and breeders who legally acquired their snakes, but through no fault of their own now find that their property is worth nothing.

S373 has been amended to include ONLY:

1. Python molurus
2. Broghammeras reticulatus
3. Python sebae
4. Python natalensis
5. Boa constrictor
6. Eunectes notaeus
7. Eunectes deschauenseei
8. Eunectes murinus
9. Eunectes beniensis

[fuglyfarmhand]

Originally Posted by EricRoscoe

now find that their property is worth nothing.
S373 has been amended to include ONLY:
1. Python molurus
2. Broghammeras reticulatus
3. Python sebae
4. Python natalensis
5. Boa constrictor
6. Eunectes notaeus
7. Eunectes deschauenseei
8. Eunectes murinus
9. Eunectes beniensis

Many of us own these animals.
We need to do what we can to stop the gov't from making it illegal to buy and breed these beautiful animals

[Snakemaster]

So all these boas are on this list:
Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
Boa constrictor amarali, Amaral's boa
Boa constrictor constrictor, Red-tailed boa
Boa constrictor imperator, Common northern boa
Boa constrictor longicauda, Tumbes Peru boa
Boa constrictor melanogaster, Ecuadorian boa
Boa constrictor nebulosa, Dominican clouded boa
Boa constrictor occidentalis, Argentine boa
Boa constrictor orophias, St. Lucia boa
Boa constrictor ortonii, Orton's boa
Boa constrictor sabogae, Pearl Island boa

[RayRay]

Bumping this up, because this is our next course of action.


Tip of the day:
Also, for those of you who haven't, go to USARK.org and sign up for their newsletter. That way, you'll always be updated on what to do/who to call/write to.

[RayRay]

Originally Posted by Snakemaster

So all these boas are on this list:
Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
Boa constrictor amarali, Amaral's boa
Boa constrictor constrictor, Red-tailed boa
Boa constrictor imperator, Common northern boa
Boa constrictor longicauda, Tumbes Peru boa
Boa constrictor melanogaster, Ecuadorian boa
Boa constrictor nebulosa, Dominican clouded boa
Boa constrictor occidentalis, Argentine boa
Boa constrictor orophias, St. Lucia boa
Boa constrictor ortonii, Orton's boa
Boa constrictor sabogae, Pearl Island boa

From what it sounds like, yes.

[morti]

I called my local senator's offices. They requested that all appointments need to be made in writing. Off I go to write an appointment request.

[RayRay]

Originally Posted by morti

I called my local senator's offices. They requested that all appointments need to be made in writing. Off I go to write an appointment request.

I'm about to do the same. I've alerted my boss to the issue and if I have to go meet with one, she understands LOL

[morti]

Here is my letter. Feel free to use this as a sample letter if you like it.

Dear Senator {Last Name}:

I am writing to request a meeting with you or an appropriate member of your staff on a date and time to be arranged at your earliest convenience. I am a small business owner operating in Louisville, KY breeding and selling reptiles, specifically Boas, Pythons, and select Colubrid snakes. I also live here in Louisville, KY, thus I am a constituent of yours.

The purpose of my meeting request is to discuss with you a bill that just passed through the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and has been recommended to the senate floor. The Bill in question is S. 373, “A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the Species Python genera as an injurious animal”. This bill is more commonly referred to as the “Python Ban”, although the scope was broadened on December 10 to include a total of nine snake species including Boa Constrictor.

This bill was introduced by Senator Nelson from Florida, and I can understand his concern. There is an obvious problem with Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park. I do not, however, feel that the proper way to deal with this problem is disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of American families by adding nine species to the injurious wildlife list of the Lacey Act.

I respectfully request an opportunity to meet with you to elaborate on these issues. Please contact me at {My Phone Number} to schedule this meeting.

Sincerely,




Donald B. Smith, Jr.
Sole Proprietor, PrimaReptila

[Stargazer]

Any Colorado folk willing to make a group trip to see Mark Udall (CO Senator?). I'm game. He has been very helpful to me with other issues in the past.

[Byron]

I emailed everyone on the links that are being passes around. This is part of my reply from Senator Boxer:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns with me via email. I hope you will understand that, because of the volume of emails I receive from residents of California, I cannot at this time respond to messages received from residents of other states.
...

I was kinda hoping that my emails would be seen and they wouldn't realize that I'm sending them from GA.

[Byron]

oh...and the looks you get at work when you tell them you're emailing your congressman, senator AND the prez are great.

[Java]

Originally Posted by Snakemaster

So all these boas are on this list:
Boa constrictor, Boa constrictor
Boa constrictor amarali, Amaral's boa
Boa constrictor constrictor, Red-tailed boa
Boa constrictor imperator, Common northern boa
Boa constrictor longicauda, Tumbes Peru boa
Boa constrictor melanogaster, Ecuadorian boa
Boa constrictor nebulosa, Dominican clouded boa
Boa constrictor occidentalis, Argentine boa
Boa constrictor orophias, St. Lucia boa
Boa constrictor ortonii, Orton's boa
Boa constrictor sabogae, Pearl Island boa

im not seeing hog island boas on this list.

even still, this can't happen.

[morti]

Originally Posted by Java

im not seeing hog island boas on this list.
even still, this can't happen.

That's because Hog Island boas are Boa constrictor imperator.

[Java]

well, shows what i know. must have read it to quick (stupid). so i have been looking around and havent found a staright answer on these questions;
1. Does this apply to just florida, or the whole U.S.?
2. Can we apply for permits?
3. What happens to us? do the police take or beloved pets from us? i dont understand what "no value" means. i wasnt gonna sell my snakes anyway.

[morti]

Originally Posted by Java

well, shows what i know. must have read it to quick (stupid). so i have been looking around and havent found a staright answer on these questions;
1. Does this apply to just florida, or the whole U.S.?
2. Can we apply for permits?
3. What happens to us? do the police take or beloved pets from us? i dont understand what "no value" means. i wasnt gonna sell my snakes anyway.

1. The whole US.
2. Sure. If you are a licensed Zoological park or institution or a research facility (so that means no... You and I can't)
3. You are free to keep the snakes you have. Just don't plan on moving across state lines with them. You will also not be allowed to import, export, or transport any across state lines.

[Java]

i have a hog island boa and plan on buying a baby this week. are we allowed to buy BCI's after this passes?

[morti]

Originally Posted by Java

i have a hog island boa and plan on buying a baby this week. are we allowed to buy BCI's after this passes?

Not from out of state you can't. I don't know how many quality breeders of Hog Island boas you will find in Rhode Island, but I don't suspect the number can be very high.

Please help us by sending letters to your senators about this bill.

[Java]

i sent 2 letters to my senator, and one email to the white house. my source for snakes is regal, and they get stuff at shows that they've been attending for almost 10 years. would they be able to buy snakes out of state? i mean they are the biggest reptile distributor in RI. shouldnt they already have permits?

[morti]

Originally Posted by Java

i sent 2 letters to my senator, and one email to the white house. my source for snakes is regal, and they get stuff at shows that they've been attending for almost 10 years. would they be able to buy snakes out of state? i mean they are the biggest reptile distributor in RI. shouldnt they already have permits?

Nope. Regal wouldn't be able to get anything either. They don't have permits to violate the Lacey act.

[Java]

so, basically we get to keep our boas, and once they die, we cant get more unless a store in our state is breeding them?

well, this is just one more good reason for me to begin breeding boas. i girl hog is full grown and 5 yrs, and once the baby i get comes of age, techinically i could breed and distribute them im my state right?