Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's the text of the bill. http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/billfile/HB0704.htm

Part of the wording is basically an illegal siezure IMO, and the wording would prevent anyone except a zoo from bringing in crocodilians and venomous FOR EDUCATION OR DISPLAY. What if you live in another state and want to take a new job in MD? What would happen to your caiman (or other pet listed in the bill) then?

It's currently in the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee, the hearing was today (16th). SO, MD RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS please contact the committee members ASAP to ask them to oppose HB 704. There's only a day or two to stop this.

You can find committee members here:
http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/com/05jud.html

Click on their names to get their contact information. At the very least, call the committee HQ and let them know your thoughts.

Judiciary Committee
House Office Building, Room 101
12 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1991
(410) 841-3488, (301) 858-3488;
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3488 (toll free)
fax: (410) 841-3850, (301) 858-3850

If you are a Maryland resident, also consider contacting your delegates, in case this gets out of committee to the House floor. You can find your elected officials here: http://mdelect.net/

Katrina

The bill passed the house and is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing (public comment encouraged) is scheduled for April 4th, Tuesday. Please note that in order to keep your CURRENTLY LEGAL CAIMAN, you must register with animal control by August 1st, but the bill doesn't go into effect until OCTOBER 1st - IF it passes.

Bill wording is here:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/bills/hb/hb0704t.pdf

If you'd like to talk or write to a senator in the Judiciary Committee, click on there names at the web site below to get their contact info. At the very least, you can contact the committee secretary and log your "support" or "oppose" statement. If you'd like to attend the hearing in Annapolis, contact the committee secretary for directions and parking suggestions. The main phone number is also on the web site below.

It wouldn't hurt to ask that CAIMAN be removed from the bill, as, as far as I know, no one has ever been killed by a caimen in the US.

http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/05judp.html

JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE

Brian E. Frosh, Chair (410) 841-3124, (301) 858-3124
Leo E. Green, Vice-Chair (410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631

Jennie M. Forehand
Robert J. Garagiola
John A. Giannetti, Jr.
Larry E. Haines
Ralph M. Hughes
Nancy Jacobs
Philip C. Jimeno
Alex X. Mooney
Norman R. Stone, Jr.

Miller Senate Office Building
2 East Wing
11 Bladen St.
Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1991
(410) 841-3623, (301) 858-3623
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3623 (toll free)
fax: (410) 841-3730, (301) 858-3730