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HR2811 (House version of S373) Sponsored by Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), will go to Mark-up (amendment) in a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday the 28th, and then to the full committee on Wednesday the 29th. This bill has been called the Python BAN. If passed as written, it will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE TRANSPORT of the entire genus python. Once it passes Mark-up it will go to a vote on the floor of the full House of Representatives. Anyone who doesn't believe that this is an immediate threat to the entire Reptile Community has their head in the sand. If the Reptile Nation does not wake up and take massive and decisive action right now we could lose ALL pythons.

USARK has worked hard and spent a lot of money to make sure the Reptile Nation has the best information available regarding the fate of our community. We make our positions clear and operate with complete transparency. We have no conflicts of interest. Our only allegiance is to the Reptile Nation. We are asking you to TAKE ACTION NOW to save this industry. No one else can do this for us. We hold our fate in our own hands. That is why we created USARK, to take control of our own destiny.

We have the best lobbyists, contacts and strategy to address the situation. This is not the time to panic or get angry. It is time for calm deliberate action. We need to engage in a massive phone and fax campaign on Monday the 27th. Get everyone you know to call. Spread the word to every forum and social networking site you frequent.

Phone & Fax Campaign: Monday July 27 (call & fax ALL Congressman at ALL numbers)

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL),
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777
Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132
Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974
Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052
Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776

SCRIPT: My name is...... I want to register a NO on HR2811. If passed as written this bill will destroy thousands of Florida voters, their families and small businesses. There is not a shred of scientific evidence to support banning all of the different species in the genus python. Please amend the bill to address only the IMPORT of the Burmese Python. Thank you for your consideration.

Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med

http://usark.org/donate.php

THIS MUST BE BIG!!! SPREAD THE WORD FOR MONDAY July 27th 2009!!!!!!

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

Andrew, are only these four Florida legislators on the committee? Shouldn't people contact all committee members, not just those from Florida?
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Christie Keith
Director of Community Services
PetHobbyist.com

These are not the only ones. They are key members with a lot of influence who can realistically get the bill amended. I will put out a more complete list today. Those four were just the most important.
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

I contacted about 30 plus numbers.......

New PIJAC alert below.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

There seems to be some confusion in the Reptile Nation about what is going on here. HR2811 if passed would Ban ALL Pythons Nationwide. This is NOT a Florida bill. It is in the US House of Representatives. This is NOT about Burmese Pythons. IT IS ABOUT ALL PYTHONS!... from Ball Pythons on up... ALL PYTHONS!!! If HR2811 passes the House and Senate as written, the trade in ALL PYTHONS IS OVER!!

Our only chance is to get the bill amended. It is going to get voted on in subcommittee on Tuesday and the full House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. If we are unable to get it amended it will include ALL PYTHONS!

USARK is calling on the entire Reptile nation to turn out for a MASSIVE calling day tomorrow, Monday July 27, 2009!!! If we fail, the ability to work with ANY Python will be devastated. Don't let this happen. We owe it to our children and future generations to be able to enjoy these animals! This is the most fantastic hobby and profession there is. DO NOT LET IT DIE!

Phone & Fax Campaign July 27, 2009: This is not a full list of the House Judiciary Committee. We will focus only on key members.

SCRIPT: My name is...... I want to register a NO on HR2811. If passed as written this bill will destroy thousands of families and small businesses. There is not a shred of scientific evidence to support banning all of the different species in the genus python. Not all pythons are the same. There are many different species. Please amend the bill to address only the IMPORT of the Burmese Python. Thank you for your consideration.

Sponsor and Key Members:

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Sponsor
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777
Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132
Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974
Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052
Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776

Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) Committee Chair
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5126; fax 202-225-0072
Detroit: phone 313-961-5670; fax 313-226-2085
EMAIL: john.conyers@mail.house.gov

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX) Ranking Member
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4236; fax 202-225-8628
San Antonio: phone 210-821-5024; fax 210-821-5947

Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4695; fax 202-225-3196
Van Nuys: phone 818-994-7200; fax 818-994-1050

Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3861; fax 202-225-0442

Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3065; fax 202-225-8611
Greensboro: phone 336-333-5005; fax: 336-333-5048

Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6365; fax 202-226-1170
Chesapeake: 757-382-0080; fax 757-382-0780

Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4576; fax: 202-225-6328
Glendale: phone 623-776-7911; fax: 623-776-7832

Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5811; fax 202-225-1100
Thousand Oaks: phone 805-497-2224; Toll Free: (800) 423-0023; fax 805-497-0039

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5635
New York: phone 212-367-7350

CALL, CALL, CALL!!! Our Future Depends On It! Make an avalanche of calls and bury HR2811!

Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med

http://usark.org/donate.php

THIS MUST BE BIG!!! SPREAD THE WORD FOR MONDAY July 27th 2009!!!!!!
Join The Reptile Nation!

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

It's as if they are trying to baffle us with BS. It's the old head fake, feint to the left and feint to the right. An intentional and deadly serious strategy to send so much legislation to the Hill all at once, so as to create confusion and diversion, that one bill may slip through and become law. Looks like their primary goal is to get this one through.
Very scary and very serious business.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I THINK THAT THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO PASS THIS LAW ARE LACKING A LOT OF INFORMATION ON PYTHON SPECIES IT SHOULD NOT INCLUDE SPOTTED PYTHONS BALL PYTHONS GREEN TREE PYTHONS BLOOD PYTH0NS ANYTHING THAT STAYS AROUND SIX FEET SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINED AS A THREAT THESE SPECIES SHOULD BE ENJOYED IN THE HERP BUSINESS AND KEPT OUT OF THIS BILL

So, I'm going to post the text of HR2811:

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal. (Introduced in House)

HR 2811 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2811

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 10, 2009

Mr. MEEK of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. IMPORTATION OR SHIPMENT OF INJURIOUS SPECIES.

Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting `; of the constrictor snake of the species Python genera' after `polymorpha'.

Is this legislation going to ban ALL PYTHONS or just the following:

Python anchietae
Python breitensteini
Python brongersmai
Python curtus
Python molurus
Python natalensis
Python regius
Python reticulatus
Python sebae
Python timoriensis

The bill was written by someone who is biologically illiterate. That means the language could be left to interpretation of what the "original intent" was. All Pythons or genus python? You better make your calls!
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

>>The bill was written by someone who is biologically illiterate.

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't this reason enough to have the bill scrapped? Or at least delayed? Or to oppose the bill? If no one knows what "species Python genera" means, how can it even be discussed rationally?

Very confusing.

Thanks,
Ed

Written by the Poster Children for the reasons we are and what we do is so necessary. Their actions speak volumes for our cause. They make our case for us.
There should be a law against ignorant legislation. This is a case of legislative malpractice. A folly. A complete waste of resources. A witch hunt. I think we should propose legislation requiring peer reviewed documentation of their assertions before they are allowed to propose anything of this nature.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

"There should be a law against ignorant legislation. This is a case of legislative malpractice. A folly. A complete waste of resources. A witch hunt. I think we should propose legislation requiring peer reviewed documentation of their assertions before they are allowed to propose anything of this nature."

I am serious about writing a new Legislative Ethics Bill.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Thank you, USARK, for your reply to my confusion!

Here is Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, which HR2811 intends to amend:

"The importation into the United States, any territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States, or any shipment between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States, of the mongoose of the species Herpestes auropunctatus; of the species of so-called “flying foxes” or fruit bats of the genus Pteropus; of the zebra mussel of the species Dreissena polymorpha; and such other species of wild mammals, wild birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibians, reptiles, brown tree snakes, or the offspring or eggs of any of the foregoing which the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe by regulation to be injurious to human beings, to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife or the wildlife resources of the United States, is hereby prohibited. All such prohibited mammals, birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibians, and reptiles, and the eggs or offspring therefrom, shall be promptly exported or destroyed at the expense of the importer or consignee. Nothing in this section shall be construed to repeal or modify any provision of the Public Health Service Act or Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Also, this section shall not authorize any action with respect to the importation of any plant pest as defined in the Federal Plant Pest Act,[1] insofar as such importation is subject to regulation under that Act."

This legislation seems to address:

1. the importation of injurious animals into the United States, any territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States

- and -

2. the transportation of injurious animals between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United State

As far as I can tell, this particular legislation does not seem to:

1. ban the possession, breeding, sale or transport of any animals between (continental) states or export to another country.

Of course, prohibiting the importation of the genus Python, or worse yet, all pythons, would be very bad for the U.S. Reptile Nation!

Please let me be clear; my purpose is to understand what is going on - not to derail any of the excellent efforts by USARK, which I fully support!

NO IMPORT, NO EXPORT, NO INTERSTATE TRANSPORT is what that means.
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

"NO IMPORT, NO EXPORT, NO INTERSTATE TRANSPORT is what that means."

I certainly would not be able to come to this conclusion from reading section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code. Perhaps a deeper understanding of the United States Code would be necessary, and you are the experts at this, so I will heed your advice!

Thank you!

It explicitly bans import, as you have read. Possession also. What they mean by trade between the continental US is interstate sales--the reason the term states of the united states is not used is that we do not have 50 states--rather 46 and four commonwealths (VA, PA, KY and MA)--a fact that is not well known and could cause confusion later--thus, "continental US" is used, and Alaska would be covered under "possessions of the US". Breeding is forbidden by using the term "eggs".

It's absolutely astounding you can get this:

"It explicitly bans import, as you have read. Possession also. What they mean by trade between the continental US is interstate sales--the reason the term states of the united states is not used is that we do not have 50 states--rather 46 and four commonwealths (VA, PA, KY and MA)--a fact that is not well known and could cause confusion later--thus, "continental US" is used, and Alaska would be covered under "possessions of the US". Breeding is forbidden by using the term "eggs"."

from this:

"The importation into the United States, any territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States, or any shipment between the continental United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States..."

I'm not doubting you, but...

1. the word "interstate" is never used, although the intent of the act depends upon this interpretation
2. the word "possession" is never used, other than in reference to "possession of the United States" - not personal possession
3. the word "export" is never used, however, the act presumes that export to another country is understood

... I'm speechless!

I won't disagree, the writing is rather ambiguous. If you read on to section C, title 18, US code they are a tad clearer:
(c) The Secretary of the Interior within one hundred and eighty

days of the enactment of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 shall

prescribe such requirements and issue such permits as he may deem

necessary for the transportation of wild animals and birds under

humane and healthful conditions, and it shall be unlawful for any

person, including any importer, knowingly to cause or permit any

wild animal or bird to be transported to the United States, or any

Territory or district thereof, under inhumane or unhealthful

conditions or in violation of such requirements.
I believe requirements for posession are covered in sub section 3, section a:
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Secretary of the Interior,

when he finds that there has been a proper showing of

responsibility and continued protection of the public interest and

health, shall permit the importation for zoological, educational,

medical, and scientific purposes of any mammals, birds, fish

(including mollusks and crustacea), amphibia, and reptiles, or the

offspring or eggs thereof, where such importation would be

prohibited otherwise by or pursuant to this Act, and this Act shall

not restrict importations by Federal agencies for their own use.

In other words, you want an injurious species--better get a permit and be prepared for red tape. Further, I doubt USFWS/Sec. of the interior would consider the pet trade a zoological, scientific, medical or educational purpose. Unless of course you did lectures or something. Beleive me though, injurious permits are a bear to get. Best to get this puppy amended now.

I forgot...by import, they do not necessarily mean from a foreign country...by crossing state lines you are technically exporting an animal from one state and importing it to another. For instance, here in West Virginia, I need a health certificate to "import" my animals in legally from the herp shows in PA or OH. It's pretty much a pain in the you-know-what.

One point is that "United States" is not considered the name of a single country but is used as a description of the states. Therefore, "between the United States" means between any two states.
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

Where did you get this list? It says "all constrictor snakes of the python genera...." seems clear to me. Am I missing something?

>>Python anchietae
>>Python breitensteini
>>Python brongersmai
>>Python curtus
>>Python molurus
>>Python natalensis
>>Python regius
>>Python reticulatus
>>Python sebae
>>Python timoriensis
>>
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Christie Keith
Director of Community Services
PetHobbyist.com

This is the list of all snakes of the genus Python, however, please see the above reply by USARK.

Just finished with calls and one of the ladies who answered phone said they'd gotten 30 calls already today against the ban and none for it. So sounds good so far. I called all the washington numbers so would there be reason to call the alternate numbers as well or will just the washington ones suffice?
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1.0 sumatran short tailed python
0.1 ball python
0.1 rosy boa
0.1 corn snake
1.0 mexican king snake
1.1 buttermilk racers
0.0.2 texas rat snakes
0.0.1 broadbanded watersnakes
0.0.2 yellow bellied watersnake
0.0.1 diamond back watersnake
0.0.1 blotched watersnake
0.0.1 ribbon snake
0.1 Texas brown snake
0.0.1 western cottonmouth
0.0.1 southern copperhead
0.0.1 rattlesnake
1.0 bearded dragon
1.0 leopard gecko

My name is Anthony "Brent" Sheets I own a small reptile business and I have an idea that I have not seen proposed for the ban of pythons. I am also a Sociologist (with a degree) so I thought about this from various aspects. Here is my proposed thought.

I was writing to ask if there was a way that someone could introduce a proposal for the implantation of a microchip in any and all large species of pythons at the time of the animal being purchased, with the purchasee then regestering the animal to them. There of course would be less people buying and releasing these animals into the wild when/if they could not or did not want to take proper care of their animals. The microchipping of animals is inexspensive and the regestering of such animals would help to deture releasing animals into the wild. There should be stiff but adequate penalties for reptile owners that break their snakes registration license. I feel that this is a great idea to propose. Thanks Brent

Hew PIJAC PET ALERT below.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Good time to have a breeding stock of african rocks. NASDAQ indicates ARP 20.6. All kidding aside great job to the USARK to come up with an amendent and thanks to house members for hearing and understanding our views.