Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thank you to everyone who took the time to send emails and letters!
Your efforts have paid off so far.....
HB-1309 has been put back on the shelf. Hopefully to be "pidgeon-holed" for the long run.
The meeting had a wonderful turn out. Standing room only!
Tim Cole been keeping me informed on the situation.
Right now looks like constrictors are going to be removed from the bill completely. They might impose a permit system for venomous species. The herpers of Texas will be working with lawmakers to help implement permit system that protects both Texas citizens as well as protects the rights of venomous reptile keepers. They are even working to freeze the cost of the proposed permits...so that keepers do not experience an annual Hike in permit fees. These changes will not likely go into effect this year.

Perhaps Dave or Tracy Barker will be able to give us some more information on this issue???

This is what I have been told at the moment.
So, it sounds like the meeting was very productive!
The support of EVERY voice in EVERY state is important.
You might also seriously consider joining an organization like PIJAC. We have strength in numbers (when organized).
Thank you again!
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

Yay! Hopefully that bill never sees the light of day again. Thanks for letting us know!

~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)
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

And for everyone else.. I am glad that it went well..

Harlin,

Great job with the information and advice. Organizing is exactly what I thought of also. The best defense is a good offense approach might protect our rights legally each time this type of situation occurs.

Congrats to all involved with today’s victory.
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Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid" David Coverdale

Thank GOD me and my fiance plan on moving to texas in a year , and I plan on continuing my hobby/buisness there good work everyone .

Thanks to all who helped out with the fight ,Do to my health I was unable to go to Austin and instead was at the doctors office and wasn’t even able to check the web . Or e-mail till about 20 min. ago . I am just so happy that this has had the right turn out .I do bereave if it had gone threw I would have suffered another Stroke . I am just so so happy right now I can’t explain it . Thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue

I suggest a permit system that grandfathers current owners.....but follows floridas system......

NO WAY !!!! WE DON'T NEED IT AT ALL ,YOU GIVE THEM A INCH AND THAY'LL TAKE A YARD !!!! THANKS DAVID

I agree its all are nothing , most of the snakes that we keep are harmless beautiful living art , compared to most of the large dog breeds that inflict thousands of injuries to people every year we just have to keep educating the public on these beautiful animals, and the best way to do this is by keeping them and showing them proudly , the more keepers and keeper/breeders we have the better .

Damn right
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Just as addicted as the rest of you- this is the life

Thats what I'm talking about Willis!!!!!!
I'm very happy to hear that this law is not going to be passed.

Mike

I was at the meeting, and this battle is BY NO MEANS won yet. In fact, the committee chair seems to be absolutely determined that this bill, in some form, goes on to the full legislature for a vote-and he has the power to send it there. Dave Barker is working as we speak to make sure the final bill is in a less objectionable form, but it's not over yet!

Brad Chambers

As I said,
Efforts have paid off... SO FAR.
And, as I was NOT at the meeting, I was only able to relay the information that I have received thus far from Tim Cole.

I do hope that Dave or Tracy Barker will be able to present the facts of what HAS been accomplished.
It was my understanding that constrictors have been reomoved from the language of the proposed bill.

The fight to maintain the rights of Reptile Keepers in ANY State, County, Province or City is never finished.
And, while I personally may see ANY compromises to the freedoms currently held by residents of Texas as a step in the wrong direction, it is certainly better to have a group of dedicated herpers assisting lawmakers to create a more reasonable proposed bill.

There is another meeting scheduled. And, I am sure there will be many more meetings before any votes are cast and laws are passed. None of us can say what the future outcome will be.

I understand that there was a great turn out at this first meeting. LOTS of reptile enthusiests were in attendance.
HB 1309 has not been voted on yet.
It WAS my intention to thank those of you who have written letters and supported the opposition to this ill proposed bill.
It does sound like progress was made at this forst of many meetings. That is GOOD NEWS.

However, Brad is correct when he said, "We have NOT YET WON."
I have received emails asking about how the meeting went.
As you may know from my original post... I live in COLORADO.
So, as stated in each of my posts above, I am merely passing on the updates I was given from others who WERE in attendance to the Austin, TX Council Meeting.
I am glad so many good people took the time to attend the meeting.
This shows that we have some unity and that we will not give in without a fight. Let's keep it up!

When working to protect your rights, the battle is NEVER won and finished. This is likely one of many such battles...and unfortunately, in more States than Texas alone.

If you really want to maintain your rights as reptile keepers, you will need to be in this for the LONG HAUL.
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!

i got a call today frm the committe clerk handling the bill, and he relayed to me that they are lookign forward to working with some people especially David Barker, regarding the bill.

it loks liek venomous snakes will stay on teh bill with measures to ensure that hot keepers rights are not totally taken away.

one thing that was worriesom to me, is that he mentioned dozens of nasty phone calls, threats to put cobras in his house, and people cursing him out.

now, i hope that was non of the pople on this board, and if it is no rason to identify your self. just know that is highly unprofessional, childish, and not at all helpful, and is the sort of thing that makes him, in his own words, "disinclined to work with those people"

so in short, thank you to Mr. Barker and everyone else who went down there and helped out and wrote letters, and the rest of us need to keep the dialogue mature as well.

jonathan