Indiana is treading down the same path that many other states are at this time in that there is a proposed Bill that is supposed to go into effect on July 1, 2010. Senate Bill 0280 or S280 is taking on the release of exotic reptiles as a class C misdemeamor with fines and possible jail time. They also propose to take the bill one step further by requiring people "In the Business of selling reptiles" to register with Indiana DNR. I don't know that there is any way to defeat or deter this bill.



Is there any way to challange the wording of this bill, more specifically the textbook definition of "Exotic" in the way it referes to reptiles? They are identifying an Exotic reptile as any reptile that is not native to Indiana. This means that any animals that are know to occur in the surrounding states along state borders would not be allowed to legally cross the state lines for fear that they would be subject to fines. But really, I have been in the association of reptiles for over 25 years now in association with the Pet Trade and Local Pet Stores. When the heck did the term "EXOTIC" when pertaining to reptiles come to mean animals that are native to North America? I could see the term used when diferentiating a reptile in general as a pet as opposed to dogs or cats, or in the matter of differentiating an reptile from another continent, but to say that just because a reptile does not live in our state means that it is exotic? Rediculus!!!



Here is a link to the Indiana site:

http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2010&session=1&request=getBill&docno=0280&doctype=SB



Any advice on getting the verbage in this bill changed? This affects all reptiles owners and Private and Retail reptile sellers in Indiana. Most of them are not even aware that on July 1, they will be guilty of this new idiotic law since there are no provisions the just notify will be given to any people that already have these animals.



Chris

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