The bill prohibits any exhibition of animals that provide entertainment, which means even outreach and educational programs will be banned.
For alert instructions, sample letter, contacts, and more go to www.usark.org/24wa.
SB5148 has been introduced again in Washington. It is the same bill number as in 2023 because it was reintroduced and retained in its present status. It is exactly the same as last year. This bill bans programs with thousands of species including ALL “snakes and reptiles,” ferrets, sugar gliders, and more.
The bill prohibits any exhibition of animals that provide entertainment, which means even outreach and educational programs will be banned. Unsuspecting Washingtonians do not know this is a ban on educational programs in classrooms, public libraries, at Scout Troop meetings, and anywhere else for that matter because the stated intent is misleading.
More details at www.usark.org/24wa.
ALERT: Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has proposed extensive regulation changes regarding herps, both native and non-native. The comment deadline is March 6, 2024.
We have the changes broken down and the full proposal posted at https://usark.org/24_la/.
ALERT: Florida
HB1033 seeks to expand the ban on green iguanas (Iguana iguana) to include all iguana species. This would mean that rock iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas, and all other species would be prohibited species. It does this by changing the statute from reading “Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)” to just “Iguana.”
The bill would also ban the sales of dogs and cats in pet shops. HB1033 was introduced by Representative Sam Killebrew. The bill was profiled and has not yet been assigned to a Committee. The Florida legislative session begins on January 9, 2024. The bill would take effect on take effect July 1, 2024.
Be sure to follow USARK Florida for updates on this bill. Read their current post at https://usarkfl.
USARK FL Facebook: https://www.
USARK FL website: https://usarkfl.
House Committee Report with Lacey Act Amendments
Lacey Act amendments regarding injurious species are included in a report from the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. It is titled, Reset, Prevent, Build: A Strategy to Win America’s Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party. This is not exactly the title of a document where these Lacey Act amendments would be expected and the inclusion is not germane to the report’s purpose regarding U.S.-China trade issues.
Get more information at https://usark.org/
Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/
USARK Shirts and Hats are Available Online
Our shop is open at https://usark.org/shop/ (or just click the “Shop” link in the menu on our website). We currently have two shirts and three hats available for sale.
Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/
