A crime that they can PROSECUTE us for!!!!

If you don't think this is serious then you just plain don't THINK!!!!

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
COST ESTIMATE
October 9, 2009
H.R. 2811
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor
snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal
As ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary
on July 29, 2009
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2811 would have no significant cost to the federal
government. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending and revenues, but CBO
estimates that any such effects would not be significant.
H.R. 2811 would make it a federal crime to import or ship certain snakes into the United
States. Because the bill would establish a new offense, the government would be able to
pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. We expect that H.R. 2811
would apply to a relatively small number of offenders, so any increase in costs for law
enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such
costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Because those prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 2811 could be subject to criminal
fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted.
Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later
spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be
significant because of the small number of cases likely to be affected.
Under H.R. 2811, entities such as zoos would need permits to import or transport the
affected species of snakes. Based on information provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), which issues permits for such activities, CBO estimates that enacting
the bill could result in an increase in offsetting collections (for permits) and associated
spending. We estimate that such increases would be minimal, however, and would offset
each other in most years, resulting in no significant net cost.
2
By prohibiting the importation and interstate transport of certain snakes without a permit,
the bill would impose intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
The cost to public and private entities eligible for permits, such as zoos or research
centers, would be the expense of obtaining those permits. (USFWS regulations prohibit
the agency from charging permit fees to state, local, or tribal entities. Fees for private
entities would be $25 or $100 depending on the activity being authorized.) The cost of
the mandate to those ineligible for a permit, including private importers, breeders,
retailers, shippers, and owners of those snakes, would be the forgone net income from no
longer being able to sell or transport the animals across state lines. (According to the
USFWS, exportation of the animals would be allowed only from coastal or border states.)
Based on information about the cost of permits from the USFWS, and information
gathered from industry professionals about the value of shipments, sales, and imports of
snakes, CBO estimates that the costs of the mandates would fall below the annual
thresholds established in UMRA for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates
($69 million and $139 million in 2009, respectively, adjusted annually for inflation).
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Mark Grabowicz (for costs to the federal
justice system), Deborah Reis (for USFWS), Melissa Merrell (for the impact on state,
local, and tribal governments), and Marin Randall (for the impact on the private sector).
The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget
Analysis.
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