TX to initiate Permit System for Constrictors and Hots

This would affect all of those who own or possess or transport into this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor (including REDTAIL BOAS, BALL PYTHONS, BLOOD PYTHONS, ETC) 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.

PLEASE SEND ALL WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE (letter, fax, email) TO US
as we will compile all of these documents when we meet with the
Members of this Committee in Austin.
Randal & Bonnie Berry
P.O. Box 191866
Little Rock, AR 72219
Phone & Fax: 501-562-7311


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.

PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF ANY LETTER, EMAIL OR FAX THAT YOU SEND TO THESE REPRESENTATIVES. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER(S), FAX AS WELL AS THE NAME OF THE COUNTY YOU ARE FROM.

IF YOU ARE SENDING AN EMAIL FROM YOUR COMPUTER, PLEASE bcc US ON IT.
IF YOU ARE SENDING AN EMAIL FROM THE LEGISLATURE eMAIL, PLEASE BLOCK COPY IT, FORWARD IT TO US, THEN SEND IT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILDREN HOLDING SNAKES (A LITTLE BALL PYTHON OR BOA) THAT IS NON-NATIVE TO THIS COUNTRY, PLEASE ATTACH THEM. THIS WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN GETTING TO THE HEART OF THIS MATTER -- CUTE PICTURES AND CUTE CHILDREN!

WE WILL ACT AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS. IN THE EVENT WE ARE ABLE TO MEET WITH THIS COMMITTEE IN AUSTIN, ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS WILL BE VERY HELPFUL. WE CAN'T STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.

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
COUNTIES
REPRESENTED

Rep. Harvey Hilderbran ®
Chairman
Room CAP GW.12
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0536
(512) 463-1449 Fax
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-2333
(830) 792-4289 Fax
Crockett, Sutton, Schliecher, Real, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Mason, Llano, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, Coleman, Runnels, Callahan

Rep. Edmund Kuempel ®
Vice Chair
Room CAP 3N.06
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0602
(512) 480-0391 Fax
523 E. Donegan #102
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 379-8732
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
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
1849 Lamar
Paris, TX 75460
(903) 784-0977
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
Travis (part)

Rep. Mike O’Day
Member
Room EXT E1.208
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0707
(800) 878-6826 Fax
P. O. Box 2358
Pearland, TX 77588
(281) 997-8071
(281) 997-3686 Fax
Brazoria (part), Matagorda

Rep. Larry Phillips ®
Member
Room EXT E2.604
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0297
(512) 463-1561 Fax
421 North Crockett
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-7297
(903) 870-0066 Fax
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
**Texas Governor Rick Perry - Contact the Governor

Sen. David Dewhurst
LT. GOVERNOR
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Tel (512) 463-0001
**Texas Lieutenant Governor :: David Dewhurst

Rep. Tom Craddick ®
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Room CAP 2W.13
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-1000
(512) 463-7722 Fax
**Texas House of Representatives

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.

Texas House of Representatives



4. TEXAS RESIDENTS

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.

© Except as provided by Subsection (cool.gif, 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 (cool.gif of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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

PS:
i've shared this across the internet
but
in all honesty
i really don't see what the problem is

actually
i APPLAUD the State of Texas

much better a permit system
than an outright ban on animals



herp people get all out of shape if they have to get a permit for their snake
yet
have no problem getting tags for their dogs
i don't get it

Applying for a permit is not quite the same as paying a few dollars for a dog license. There will be various requirements, which may or may not be logical and necessary. And the requirements will probably change as time goes on. The permit is just the "foot in the door".

I do not have a BIG problem with permits for animals that actually could pose a threat, such as venomous snakes, but I have a real problem adding more levels of government red tape, intrusion, and expense for boa constrictors, ball pythons, etc.

I believe that every new bill should pass a test for necessity and cost / benefit ratio (example - how many people in Tx. have been severely injured in the past few decades by non-native constrictors, or even non-native venomous for that matter, and how many of those injured would have been protected by the proposed bill? And how do those numbers compare to other potential dangers in the state?) before being allowed to become law. If there is very little benefit to be gained and it is just some politically correct thing to make make the politicians look like they are "doing something", then the citizens have only another piece of government regulation to comply with and pay for, with little or no benefit gained. Of course, multiply that cost by ALL legislation being passed, not just laws about herps, to figure the true cost of unnecessary laws.

I don't know if it is needed or not in Tx. I certainly have not heard of a rash of incidents of injuries by captive herps there. But I don't live there, so could have missed it, I guess.

kathylove said:

Applying for a permit is not quite the same as paying a few dollars for a dog license. There will be various requirements, which may or may not be logical and necessary. And the requirements will probably change as time goes on. The permit is just the "foot in the door".

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I've passed it along as well. I am not 100% against this, however, I do believe that this may be a "foothold manuever" to allow more restrictions further down the line. I am a big believer in the "slippery slope" hypothesis with regards to controversial legislation.... :shrugs:

I have worked with both the Cat Fanciers Association's and the American Kennel Club's legislative committees off and on for the last 25 years. In every instance where there have been laws passed to control the keeping, breeding, and selling of animals the result has been unnecessary costs to the local government and an increased amount of animals being abandoned.

I'm against giving government one damn more inch intrusion into my life. For being the daddy of the wild, wild west, Texas sure likes to control every thing you do. You Texan Herpers need to appeal to your legislators' pecuniary leanings and convince them that they don't need to spend the taxpayers money enforcing such frivolous legislation. They should save that money to build more prisons (Texas already has more people incarcerated than the entire continent of Europe does, including over half of African American males age 18-35 in Texas)

But, I digress. Basic rule, we don't need more laws.

yes, their limits are quite extreme

but, lets face it
we cannot entirely eliminate future legislation on our animals
it WILL happen
fear drives government

i think it would be wiser in this case to support a permit system
but, promote something slightly different
suggest the Big-5 and hots
this is common in MANY places
but in MOST of those places, its an outright BAN

i'd suggest not fighting this to the extreme
rather, support a permit system
but work on changing the species requiring permits

fighting this one too hard can backfire
and lead to outright banning

i suggest Texans work on educating their reps
support the permit system
but not the severity of their "non-native" list
this can potentially set a presidence for other states working on their own exotic legislation

I agree completely!!

Will it be of value for out-of-staters to send letters as well? Or is that wasted time?

Hypancistrus said:

I've passed it along as well. I am not 100% against this, however, I do believe that this may be a "foothold manuever" to allow more restrictions further down the line. I am a big believer in the "slippery slope" hypothesis with regards to controversial legislation.... :shrugs:

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You should be! I couldn't stand loosing my ball python. And the ones to come.

where does it say you're going to loose it????

stangs13 said:

You should be! I couldn't stand loosing my ball python. And the ones to come.

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It said you will need a permit, not that you will have to give them up, or not purchase any more.

Hypancistrus said:

It said you will need a permit, not that you will have to give them up, or not purchase any more.

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I am 14, I can't afford these permits! I don't want to loose my freedom to buy, and keep snakes.

Relax, the state of Texas isn't going to come and inspect all houses to make sure that all pythons have permits.

Goodness gracious.

Joejr14 said:

Relax, the state of Texas isn't going to come and inspect all houses to make sure that all pythons have permits.

Goodness gracious.

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:grin01: Good point!!

'Course, it would affect his being able to get new bp's and what not.

So perhaps the best advice then is what TheNoting stated- don't argue the process in its entirety, but rather suggest changes that will make it better. Such as eliminating the Ball Python's from that list. They stay small and are relatively easy to care for.

Any idea what the logic is off permiting ALL non-US species?? If it were all non-Texas species... that might make more sense with regards to "introduced species" and all that... but there are snakes found elsewhere in the US not found in Texas that could still affect the ecosystem.

Seems like the case of "doing something to avoid doing nothing."

Joejr14 said:

Relax, the state of Texas isn't going to come and inspect all houses to make sure that all pythons have permits.

Goodness gracious.

Click to expand...

I would prefer to not hide my snakes. What about revieving them from out of state breeders?

at the age of 14
you technically can't even own your snake

you're parents do
and therefore they are responsible for the permit

Wow, that's bull, but I don't live in Texas and probably can't do anything about it.

Just an update. After the hearing yesterday and all the herpers that got involved, this bill has been shelved pending a re-write that will remove Constrictors from the list. There will still be a permit required for Venemous. At least that is the news that I have on it. Justin might have some more info as he is the one that updated me on this.

Good, that makes sense to me.

awesome news

Great news!! Stories like this should help to inspire herpers in other states to speak up when new, unfair laws rear their ugly heads.