much of this legislation is stemming from the Burmese python situation in the Everglades.
It's garnered national media attention and provided the perfect platform for animal rights nutjobs to try to achieve their goal, which is the elimination of the entire reptile industry.
Some history...
The Everglades were included as a "World Heritage Site" some time in the past. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, it was included on "the List of World Heritage in Danger" due to pollution and destruction caused by Andrew.
Due to this designation, a plan was devised by the state of Florida and the US Government which would earmark 20 billion dollars for Everglades restoration. Yes, that's BILLION with a "B". The state of Florida was to put up half, and the US Government was to put up half. This was to be a project spanning over decades.
To put into perspective how important 20 billion dollars is to the Everglades, according to Wikipedia, the budget for the Everglades is approximately ~15 - ~50 million per year. So, 20 billion is 400-1,333 times their annual budget.
Well, in 2007, due to improvements made in the Everglades, it was removed from the "danger list". Due to that removal, the Federal funding ceased.
Starting almost immediately, the Burmese python showed up as the poster child for the need for further Everglades Restoration.
****The following sentence is PURELY my opinion****
In my opinion, the attempts at publicizing the plight of the Everglades and its relationship with the Burmese python is a ploy to show that the Everglades are still endangered, and still need Federal funding.
Due to the USGS report by Rodda et al, the rest of the nation was alerted to the "possibility" that Burmese pythons could take over ecosystems in other states (which we all know to be false). The HSUS has JUMPED ALL OVER IT and has used the report to push their legislative agenda in as many places as possible.
Delaware is a recent loss for our community. Apparently the legislators in Delaware are scared of big snakes taking over the state! A place where temperatures probably don't get above freezing for days or weeks at a time?! Seriously??!
Anyway. That's some history on the situation. I did a write up of the recent legislative attempts and put it on my website under "Anti-Reptile Legislation". Look under "timeline and summary".
Hope this was helpful!
jb
-----
What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously 
Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com
Deviant Constrictors picturetrail
