Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HB 1309 is a bill which would bring trouble to Texas!
But even if you do not live in Texas, it will have a negative effect on Reptile Businesses and Hobbyists throughout the USA.
This bill proposes laws which would make it illegal to own ANY CONSTRICTOR not native to the USA!
We need the support of every STATE IN THE UNION.
We need your support. WE NEED YOUR LETTERS!
Please address them to: Representative Harvey Hilderbran.
You may email your letter to Tim Cole at:
atrox13@verizon.net
Tim will be attending the meeting in Austin, TX. He needs to bring a printed copy of your email to the meeting, where he and other representatives will try to defeat HB 1309.
WE NEED YOUR LETTERS TODAY!
As an example I have included a copy of the letter I sent.
Please state your opinion about this legislation in a civil manner. But, let it be known that you do not support laws that disrupt both the economy and the freedoms of the people of Texas. Thank you for your support.

Here is a copy of my letter:
..............................................................
Date, March 19, 2007

[Attention:
Representative Harvey Hilderbran,

I am a the owner of a reptile business in Colorado.
Recently, I was made aware of HB 1309. The newly introduced bill, which will have a negative impact on the economy of Texas.
I make an annual business trip to Texas for the purchase of reptiles. Every year I meet many new people in Texas who are also involved in the Reptile Pet Industry. Some of the people are business owners, like myself, who travel to your state to conduct business. Others are Texas business owners.
Many are merely hobbyists who enjoy the freedoms and liberties they currently have in Texas as citizens and Reptile Owners.
HB 1309 will impede legal commerce in Texas. As well, the proposed laws of this bill will eliminate a large number of out-of-state dollars from the economy of Texas.
But perhaps even a greater tragedy would be the loss of freedom that pet owners and businesses would suffer from legislation such as that of HB 1309.
You are an elected official. And it is your responsibility to accurately represent the public who elected you. Many good (tax paying) people of Texas contacted me with concern over this bill. The asked for letters from Hobbyists, Business Owners and Herpetologists to help share their views about HB 1309.
This bill is a bad idea. It is bad for the economy. It is bad for the people. It is bad for your reputation.
Some people think of Texas a “Wild West” type of state.
But, I like to think of Texas as A State where the FREEDOMS and LIBERTIES of it’s citizens are held in the highest regard.
Please do not allow the heavy boot of government to stomp on the dreams, hopes and freedoms of your citizens. HB 1309 does not protect the citizens of Texas… It robs them of one of the Liberties they currently have and deserve.
I urge you to dismiss HB 1309.

Respectfully,
Harlin Wall - Owner - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
P.O. BOX 60064
Grand Junction, CO
970-245-7611
970-255-9255
WALL2WALLREPTILE@AOL.COM
...............................................................

Hey everyone,
It only takes a few MOMENTS to write such a letter.
But it could save us from YEARS of trouble.

Please email a copy of your letter to:
Tim Cole
Email address: atrox13@verizon.net

Thanks again!
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

We need the letters TODAY.
Thanks again!

Sent one. Hopefully it is nipped in the bud.
-----
Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

Just sent mine!

Every herper out there (Boa owners, Ball owners, Colubrid owners, Gecko owners ,etc, etc) should support one another when any state is considering a law like this. Let them see the number of concerned owners, businesses and of course voters they need to take into account when considering such a law.

Every time any state passes one of these laws, even if it's not our state, we all lose! If all they are seeing and hearing is a one sided opinion against constrictors, they have no idea who will be effected by this and won't care!

I sent one to every TX Representative I could think of. They have received 100's so far. Let's keep bombarding them until this goes away!

I also sent one to the Editor of the Kerville Newspaper, Dallas Morning News, and the San Antonio Newspaper. Don't forget that these people can apply some pressure to Mr. Hilderbran as well.

Hilderbran's local newspaper: dailytimes.com/letter.lasso

-----
Jason Gonzalez
PreMeditated Morphs

I also sent a copy to his local paper. Do you have emails of who else I could send a copy to?

www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=53&rep=harvey.hilderbran , www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=44&rep=edmund.kuempel, www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=46&rep=dawnna.dukes, www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=3&rep=mark.homer, www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=48&rep=Donna.Howard, www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=29&rep=mike.oday, www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=62&rep=larry.phillips, www.governor.state.tx.us/contact,
www.ltgov.state.tx.us/Contact/?PHPSESSID=0de29804f60e2b1e7e9f1ec7f7e1b769
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Jason Gonzalez
PreMeditated Morphs

They each were sent a copy.

go to http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php and select members and then on ther send e-mail tab. thanks David

Letter sent...by the way........ WELL SAID!

I sent out e-mails to all 125 house members over the weekend I just hope it isn't to late as the house members are all ready in seshion on other maters and will hear this bill on Tusday . Thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue

Best of luck.. I hope this helps in getting it stopped.

Sent one out- just hope it gets there in time-
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Just as addicted as the rest of you- this is the life

To Everyone who sent a letter to help fight HB-1309....
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

np

State Politics 101 - if you're not in the representative's district, they're not going to read your letters. Letters from someone who does not live in Texas aren't going to help. It boils down to will reading your letters get the state senator re-elected? No, not if you're not a member of their district. It's in their interests to serve *their* district, and if you're not in their district, they don't really care.

Go to your state senator's site (google [state] senators to find a list of your state's senators) and follow the instructions there to send them a letter or email. On my state senator's website, it even says they won't read letters from another district.

Texans, it's up to you!!

~jenny
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1.4 normal ball pythons (Cindy, Darwin, Periscope, and dah bebbies)
0.2 rescue chinese water dragons (Yoni and Linga)
1.0 rex rat (Scurvy)
1.0 gerbil (Yerbul)
0.1 mice (Cute Girl Mousy)
0.1 bunny (Spazz)
1.1 betta fishes (Vicious and Killer)
2.2 great danes (Shasta, Odysseus, Merlot, and Watson)
1.0 fat fuzzy mutt (Smokey)
1.1 cats (Thidwick and Turtle)
3.0 horses (Buddy, Sam, and Scout)
1.0 goat (Billy Jack)
0.0.1 chupacabra (it ate our chickens)

jenny.thegreenes.org

Jenny's right. You can b&*^h at your own reps about something goin' on someplace else and hope he/she gets the message for if and when that may happen in your state. But if you aren't in the proper district it's like blowin' hot air. It's good to know y'all are there but Texas gotta do it.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Have you ever heard the saying,
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease."
Well, if you do not voice your opinion it will NEVER be heard.
I will agree that if Representative Harvey Hilderbran receives your letter he will not likely even open it.
But if you read my original post above, you will see that the letters were asked to be SENT to Tim Cole.
He will be attending the meeting in the district where this bill originated. Tim will assure that the "meat" of these letters actually do see the light of day.
Now, you may say that my opinion and the opinions of other non-Texas residents are worthless...but, READ THE LETTER I WROTE.
Every governmental offical, elected or otherwise, is interested in out-of state $$$. They want it to continue flowing into the State of Texas. Every State needs tourists. Every state will welcome the influx of "New" money to their local and state economy.
Perhaps the letter I wrote will have little effect...but. it will certainly carry more clout than that of the silent opinion of someone who sits on the sidelines, with their tongue tied and only begins crying when unjust laws are on the books and are being enforced.
Legal issues should spark UNITY in ALL of the Reptile Community.
Similar things happend in the Bird Hobbyist Community some years back.
This proved that with Unity you can protect your rights...and with a disorganized front, you can wave goodbye to your current freedoms.
If we are not organized enough to present a more unified voice, we will never earn the respect of lawmakers...or anyone else.
As a Texan, you should be thankful for every bit of support that you receive...regardless of which state it comes from.
Think about the voice that you DO have.
Then try to add something positive to the your beloved hobby/business.
Besides, the Title of "Party Pooper President" has a very small constituency.
Respectfully,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

I do contribute - I write to MY senators, and encourage my peers and neighbors to do the same.

Having dealt with politics before during a battle to save an open space preserve near my house, I have a greater appreciation for what you're trying to do, but it only works if people write to the people who can do something about it.

Best of luck!

~jenny

By the way - Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space preserve managed to save the preserve and add 150 more acres to it. Enough letters will turn the tide!
-----
1.4 normal ball pythons (Cindy, Darwin, Periscope, and dah bebbies)
0.2 rescue chinese water dragons (Yoni and Linga)
1.0 rex rat (Scurvy)
1.0 gerbil (Yerbul)
0.1 mice (Cute Girl Mousy)
0.1 bunny (Spazz)
0.0.5 tropical fish (tetras and a neon blue gourami)
2.2 great danes (Shasta, Odysseus, Merlot, and Watson)
1.0 fat fuzzy mutt (Smokey)
1.1 cats (Thidwick and Turtle)
3.0 horses (Buddy, Sam, and Scout)
1.0 goat (Billy Jack)
0.0.1 chupacabra (it ate our chickens)

jenny.thegreenes.org

Out-of-State opinions are valued and valid on the issue of HB1309 and ANY other restrictive legislation in the Reptile Community.
Your opinions are only INVALID IF YOU DO NOT VOICE them.
I appreciate ALL those who sent letters...regardless of the state in which you reside.
The only State that will be ignored...will be a State of Confusion.
Thanks again.
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

Hi Jenny ! Let me give you a lesson in Texas politicks 101 not all of them will but I sent 126 letters , one to each member and one to the speaker of the house and I got 98 return e-mails . So they do care in Texas what the people think if for know other reason than job security . that’s why thay say don’t mess with Texans !! Lol thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue