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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