Reptile & Amphibian Forums

New Pennsylvania Reptile Regulations, Exotics will require possession permits now - Almost sounds like it might mean inspections to get a permit...

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=2233&pn=3155

Text below -

PRINTER'S NO. 3155
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2233
Session of
2012

INTRODUCED BY HALUSKA, BRENNAN, CARROLL, CONKLIN, DALEY, DENLINGER, EVERETT, GOODMAN, PASHINSKI, SONNEY, STERN AND TAYLOR, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

AN ACT Amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, providing for nonindigenous and exotic reptile and amphibian possession permits.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Title 30 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a section to read: § 2904.1. Nonindigenous and exotic reptile and amphibian possession permits.

(a) Authorization.--The commission may issue a permit to a person to possess a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian, upon application, which shall authorize the holder to purchase, receive or possess a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian from any lawful source from within or without this Commonwealth.

Fees.--The annual fees for permits provided for under subsection (a) are as follows: Nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian dealer, $200. Nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian possession, $25.

Shelter, care and protection.--No permit provided for in this section shall be granted until the commission is satisfied that the provisions for housing and caring for the nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian and for protecting the public are proper and adequate and in accordance with the standards established by the commission.

Unlawful acts.--It is unlawful for any person to:

(1) Possess, purchase or receive a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian, without first securing a permit to possess a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian issued under this section or regulations pertaining to this section.

(2) Release a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian into the wild.

(3) Fail to exercise due care in safeguarding the public from attack by a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian.

(4) Recklessly engage in conduct which places or may place another person in danger of attack by a nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian.

(e) Discretion of executive director.--In addition to the penalties provided, the executive director may, for any violation of this section, revoke or suspend any permit and order the disposal of any nonindigenous or exotic reptile or amphibian held.

(f) Applicability.--This section applies to nonindigenous or exotic reptiles and amphibians not prohibited under section 2507

1 (relating to sale of certain fish, reptiles and amphibians prohibited).

Section 2. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission shall institute a program of 30 days' duration whereby Commonwealth residents are provided the opportunity to relinquish unwanted reptiles and amphibians at regional offices of the commission prior to the effective date of 30 Pa.C.S. § 2904.1.

Section 3. This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) The addition of 30 Pa.C.S. § 2904.1 shall take effect January 1, 2013.

(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect immediately.

The time to stop it is now while its still in committee. Its nothing but an inconvenience to law abiding citizens, and hobbyists who care about the animals. Also its part of the HSUS attempt to take all animals out of captivity nationwide. Get the word out any way you can, post it everywhere, and tell everyone, get it stopped before its law.

as of today...3/3/2012......this is not on the pa fish and boat site for comment......keep checking for public comment

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/cteeInfo.cfm?cde=18&body=H

This bill, if enacted would affect the owners of any reptile not native to PA. States are doing this to see how much "push back" they get. We need to all give the committee members some "push back."

The above link gets you to the Committee on Game and Fisheries. Clicking on each name gets you to the Representative's personal page, which contains a mailing address and if you click the "envelope," an email address. Let the committee members know your feelings on this. Be polite, concise and above all, literate. Generate a text file with your comments and cut and paste it into each members email. If you live in PA, your full name and address is needed. It helps to be a registered voter in PA if you're over 18 as well.

This is a "legislative bill," it has nothing to do with PA. Game Commission or the Fish and Boat Commission, except that if enacted, one of these agencies (whichever has the law enforcement body) will have to enforce it.

Those of you who live in PA have an obligation to follow this bill and report to the State House in person when there is a hearing scheduled on it. Wear a suit, be clean cut, come armed with the facts and bring your friends.