Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=24&bill=HB 159
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http://www.theherpzone.com

I see it is a bill relating to dangerous reptiles. What does it say? I can't find what the bill means using that address, only the title. I am fine with certain laws pertaining to dangerous reptiles (permits required to own venemous or endangered species). Some protect us, some protect the herps, and some protect people who want to buy the cute little wagler's viper. The ones that bother me are rediculous ones (no snakes over 6 ft. ect.). Without seeing what the law is, it's hard to say whether I agree or disagree with it.

BILL ID: HB 159

00 HOUSE BILL NO. 159
01 "An Act relating to dangerous reptiles."
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
03 * Section 1. AS 16.05.921(b) is amended to read:
04 (b) A permit required under (a) or (c) of this section may be granted only if, in
05 the determination of the commissioner, the applicant demonstrates a valid educational
06 purpose for seeking the permit. A valid educational purpose includes display in
07 educational institutions and in zoos.
08 * Sec. 2. AS 16.05.921 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
09 (c) A person may not breed, sell, barter, or offer to sell or barter a dangerous
10 nonvenomous reptile, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued under (b)
11 of this section. In this subsection, "dangerous nonvenomous reptile" means a reptile,
12 including hybrids, that is either
13 (1) designated by regulation by the commissioner as dangerous to
14 human beings due to its inherent nature; or
15 (2) a species of reptile of the
01 (A) family Varanidae that is commonly called a water monitor
02 or crocodile monitor;
03 (B) family Iguanidae that is commonly called a green iguana or
04 rock iguana;
05 C) family Boidae or Pythonidae that has the potential of
06 exceeding eight feet in length as an adult; or
07 (D) order Crocodilia.
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http://www.theherpzone.com

A good deal of the terms of that bill are upsetting to me. Particularly the law restricting boas & pythons over 8 ft. Boas are not nearly as dangerous as dogs (they can run faster, bite harder, give you rabies, and are not sit and wait, but attack predators). I would bet a good sum of money that statistics back up my ideas on which is more dangerous. It shows they don't know what they're passing bills about when they can't even find the full scientific names of crocodile and water monitors.

Do they feel the same thing is going to happen to them as it has to the people of florida?? Reptiles would not survive up there, Alaska is the last place I would think would do such a thing...But what worries me, is if Alaska does it, that would be just another nail in the coffin for our hobby. Some other states might think, well if ALASKA did it, maybe we should...That sucks..
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"Life is a Safari"

Ok I'm not intimately familiar with how Alaska runs things. But I am VERY familiar with legislative processes in general and that looks like a very DEAD bill to me. Which is not to say it couldn't be reintroduced later.

The bill was introduced in February and DID NOT move at all. This generally means it had no support.

Alaska looks to be out of session until next year.

In some states bills can carry over from year to year. But generally that requires the bill to at least be adopted by one legislative house. In this case it would have had to been the Alaskan House of Representatives. Like I said GENERALLY... I don't know all of the specifics about how Alaska's system works.

But don't let the fact that a bill was introduced completely scare you. It's not a good development... but hundreds of bills are introduced every year that go no where. And it takes a lot of work for a bill to actually become law.

If you are concerned however... I suggest you start getting organized now.

Good luck.

Kevin H.

I did hear that the sponser will try to get a full hearing on it next session, though. Is anyone here from Alaska or know of anyone who is that I can notify?
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http://www.theherpzone.com