Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As you may know, HB 2414 was passed by the House with an exemption for herps. Now it is in the Senate and we NEED TO GET IT PASSED!
If it dies in the Senate, it will likely come back next session and we will have to fight it all over again.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ??? --Contact the Senators on the Natural Resources Committee. The bill is sitting there and needs a push. Simply ask them to schedule this for a vote (preferably on the "Local and Uncontested Calendar".

Here again is the link to the committe membership:
www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=80R&CmteCode=C580

Many of the bills referred to this committee at the same time as HB 2414 have ALREADY been scheduled for a vote. For some reason, they have NOT touched this bill. They are scheduled to meet tomorrow morning, but HB 2414 is NOT on the agenda.

Here is a link to the committee meeting notices and minutes, looks like they're way behind on publishing minutes. However, their meeting notices list the bills they plan to review.
www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees/MeetingsByCmte.aspx?Leg=80&Chamber=S&CmteCode=C580

In case you missed my sense of urgency ...
EVERYONE THAT ENJOYS FIELD HERPING IN TEXAS NEEDS TO CALL OR EMAIL EVERY SENATOR ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE ASAP. As always, be polite, professional and positive. There is no indication that any of these Senators is against us. They just seem to be focused on other bills. Enough friendly (but urgent) contacts will move this up on their radar.

As usual Daryl is spot on and first thing in the morning EVERYONE available needs to be on this.

Thanks Senor! Well done as usual. I'll be all over this in the morning..Hope everyone else does too!
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

I'm in!
Todd Hughes

I kept things brief:

HB 2414 was recently referred to the Natural Resources Committee after passing unanimously in the House of Representatives. As originally written, the Texas Herpetological Society (as well as most other herp societies in Texas) were opposed to this bill. However, it was amended in the House in such a way as to exempt the collection of reptiles & amphibians. As it is now worded, the Texas Herpetological Society would like to see this legislation passed. Please schedule this bill for a vote on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

Sincerely,
Troy Hibbitts
Liaison to TPWD Wildlife Diversity
Texas Herpetological Society