Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today, I received an email from my local herp society saying that a state representative named Melinda Schwegmann has proposed a bill, House Bill No.1468, that will outlaw the keeping of ALL nonnative reptiles in Louisiana for private keepers without a permit. This, if passed, will open the door to a flood of regulations that could lead to my hobby being completely outlawed. Even if you are not a citizen of Louisiana...please contact our senators and reps. I will include the contents of several emails from our herp society in here.

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Dear LGCHS Members,

attached is a .pdf copy of House Bill No.1468 by representative Melinda Schwegmann [E-mail: larep098@legis.state.la.us ].

This bill provides relative to the possession, importation and purchase of nonhuman privates and nonindigenous reptiles.

According to the digest, it will also adress internet purchases.

It furthermore states that the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries will issue permits for certain institutions and owners who can prove ownership prior to July 1st, 2003.

However, if this bill is allowed to pass, it will open up the door to a flood of regulations that may outlaw the keeping of most reptiles in the state per se. Everyone should immediately contact their Melinda Schwegmann's office & other representatives and firmly voice their concern.

Regards,

Thomas Eimermacher
LGCHS Vice President
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EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY

The Louisiana State Senate is poised to vote on HB1468 that will make owning any nonindegeous reptile (non-native) against the law without a permit!! Go to website www.legis.state.la.us and click on search and then put 1468 next to HB and read the text. YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR ASAP AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS MEASURE!!! THE VOTE COMES UP THIS WEEK!!!! ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME!!! N O W!!! ~BIll Watts~
-----------------------------------------------------------------The phone number to the state Senate is 225-342-2040. Call as many State Senators as possible and voice your opposition to HB1468. ~Bill Watts~ 504-710-8456
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Bill here is a better way to get the numbers for your parishes senator.
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/senators/parishesrep.htmThey will have to go here and find their parish senator and call the office with their opposition.
Nicole
K&N Reptiles
(504)436-HERP (4377)
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Thanks very much for your concern folks. I hope that we can prevent this. If I can, I'm planning on speaking to the represenatives in an open forum if there hasn't been one already.

John Veazey

Good news! My dad, who is an FDA inspector, has some connections at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries made some calls to the Dept. today. He spoke to them and they said that the bill only charges them to make some rules...that's it.They can do anything they want as long as its a rule and they're planning on being pretty easy going about it. Right now, the worry is that some certain species of nonnative herps and primates may be establishing themselves here in the wild so they're going pass a few rules regulating those few species. Its no big deal, really. They'll be posting the rules on their website once the Senate passes it.

Not to say that the bill could be better. In fact, I've gotten some very good replies from several senators saying they'll closely consider the bill. So...