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TRIBUNE-REVIEW (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) 26 November 04 Turtle dealer wins in the end (Eric Heyl)
He wasn't going to snap about it, but Fred Bruckman thought the state law governing turtle sales needed tinkering.
So he went and got it changed.
In Harrisburg, this is no easy feat. Amending any law usually involves shadowy midnight deals between high-ranking legislators and well-connected lobbyists.
This is what makes Bruckman's achievement so out of the ordinary. He is neither legislator nor lobbyist, and he usually is in bed before midnight.
Bruckman sells reptiles for a living, and the law made it difficult for him to traffic in turtles.
"It required multiple salmonella tests before a sale, which didn't make sense," said Bruckman, 50, of Ligonier, Westmoreland County.
"Almost all turtles have salmonella. It's part of their intestinal flora. But it's harmless to people unless they put a turtle in their mouths, or touch a turtle and put their fingers in their mouths without washing them."
Which, despite the complete ick factor, is what a number of children did when playing with their pet turtles back in the 1970s, when the law originated. Around this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention banned the sale of turtles under 4 inches in length, virtually halting the spread of turtle-related salmonella.
The strict restrictions on Pennsylvania turtle transactions remained for nearly three decades, until Bruckman had a brainstorm: Why couldn't the state adopt the less-restrictive federal guidelines for turtle sales?
It's a question most people would have left unanswered. Bruckman, however, climbed out of his shell and contacted Republican state Rep. Jesse Stairs, who represents parts of Westmoreland and Fayette counties.
Stairs listened to Bruckman's plight and agreed it was time to update the law -- "even though I know absolutely nothing about turtles," he acknowledged.
Stairs agreed federal turtle sale guidelines are sufficient. The feds require turtle peddlers to provide their customers with information on the infections associated with the amphibious reptiles -- and how to prevent them with a little thing called proper hygiene.
During the eight months that Stairs steered the bill through various legislative committees, he drew a few snickers.
"I took a little ribbing," he conceded. "I had a few legislators asking me if I planned on going into the turtle business."
In the end, the hard work and occasional indignities paid off.
Convinced Pennsylvania would be a far better place if its residents could more easily buy and sell turtles, the House and Senate unanimously approved the bill. Gov. Ed Rendell signed it into law last week.
Count this as one of the common man's all-too-infrequent victories.
"Some may think that it's insignificant and doesn't affect the grand scheme of things," Stairs said. "But it's nice to see that with all the heavy-handedness and big-time politicians in Harrisburg, the little guy can sometimes make a difference."
Turtle dealer wins in the end

Does anyone have the wording of the bill? A link to the legistation?

Katrina

Dear Katrina:
I'm a press junkie more than a legislative guru (the fact that I'm Canadian doesn't help with trying to track the initiatives of my American peers), but this link "may" be what you're looking for. (I don't usually use the HSUS links for much, but thewy seem to be the first ones out with link)
Cheers
Wes
PA H.B. 2589 Weakens Existing Law on Protecting Turtles

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/ALL/2003/0/HB2589.HTM

Thanks, that helped me find this. It has the wording of the bill. If you've never read a bill before, please click on the section that explains all of the markings in the text.

Katrina