Welcome to kingsnake.com's Herp Law Alerts mailing list.

kingsnake.com will be devoting more resources in 2010 towards keeping our users apprised of changes in the reptile law landscape across the U.S. and the world. One thing you will notice is an increased use of this mail list, another will be the merging of kingsnake.com's Herp Law/CITES forum (http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=13) with kingsnake.com's Reptile Law Resource Center, to provide an all-in-one stop to find out everything you can about reptile laws and regulations. Something else you will notice is that I will be stepping back into a more active and direct role in the political arena, by developing and staffing the Resource Center as well as developing a D.C. based support team.

It is kingsnake.com's goal to act as a better clearing house for information regarding laws and the legal process for the reptile community, and to provide a communication channel between the community and the legislators and agencies involved.

Over the weeks and months kingsnake.com will have a number of both paid and unpaid roles available in our Reptile Support Center,
the first of which, a paid internship, is outlined below. Also below are updates on current reptile law issues.

Thank you for your patronage.

- Jeff Barringer
Founder
kingsnake.com


The Congressional Budget Office has released the cost estimates for the implementation of S373 AKA "The Python Ban". The full text of the report is below. Also below is the schedule for the Reptile Law Summit at Tinley Park (Chicago) in February.

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CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
COST ESTIMATE
January 21, 2010
S. 373

A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works on December 10, 2009

CBO estimates that implementing S. 373 would have no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting the bill could affect direct spending and revenues, but CBO estimates that any such effects would not be significant.

S. 373 would make it a federal crime to import or ship certain snakes into the United States. Because the bill would establish a new offense, the government would be able to pursue cases that it otherwise would not be able to prosecute. We expect that S. 373 would apply to a relatively small number of offenders, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Because those prosecuted and convicted under S. 373 could be subject to criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional fines if the legislation is enacted.

Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent. CBO expects that any additional revenues and direct spending would not be significant because of the small number of cases likely to be affected.

Under S. 373, entities such as zoos would need permits to import or transport the affected species of snakes. Based on information provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), which issues permits for such activities, CBO estimates that enacting the bill could result in an increase in offsetting collections (for permits) and associated spending. We estimate that such increases would be minimal, however, and would offset each other in most years, resulting in no significant net cost.


By prohibiting the importation and interstate transport of several species of python, anaconda, and boa constrictor without a permit from USFWS, the bill would impose intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA). USFWS is authorized to issue permits for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological reasons.

The cost to public and private entities that are eligible for permits, such as zoos or research centers, would be the expense of obtaining those permits. Fees for private entities would be $25 or $100 depending on the activity being authorized. (USFWS
regulations prohibit the agency from charging permit fees to state, local, or tribal entities.) The cost of the mandate to those ineligible for a permit, including private importers, breeders, retailers, shippers, and owners of those snakes, would be the forgone net income from the inability to sell or transport the animals across state lines. According to the USFWS, exporting those species of snakes would be allowed, however, only from ports designated by the USFWS.


Based on information about the cost of permits from the USFWS and information gathered from individuals in the industry about the value of shipments, sales, and imports of species covered by the legislation, CBO estimates that the direct costs of the mandates would fall below the annual thresholds established in UMRA for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates ($70 million and $141 million in 2010, respectively, adjusted
annually for inflation).

On October 9, 2009, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2811, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal, as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on July 29, 2009. The two bills are similar, and the CBO cost estimates are the same.

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Tinley Park Summit
Schedule of Events
Friday 02-12-10

7:00 pm Opening remarks Bob Ashley/Brian Potter, N.A.R.B.C.

Panel: Andrew Wyatt, President USARK: Jamie K. Reaser, PIJAC Vice President for Environmental Policy & Communications: Adam Wysocki, President National Pet Association: Todd Willens, and Frank Vitello lobbyists for USARK: Bill Brant Member, PIJAC Board of Directors.

Overview of organizations addressing reptile legislative and regulatory issues (10 min each)

a. Andrew Wyatt USARK
b. Adam Wysocki National Pet
c. Jamie Reaser PIJAC

Panel Discussions

1. Legislative and Regulatory issues concerning reptiles for 2010.

a. What legislative and regulatory issues are likely to emerge in 2010.
b. What do hobbyists need to know about these issues.

2. How can the reptile community effectively respond to the proposed laws and regulations in a timely manner.

a. Letter writing campaigns
b. Phone calls with legislators
c. Meeting with legislators
d. Using the media

After the panel discussions, we will host a book signing of “Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians” by Jamie Reaser. All money raised will go to support PIJAC.

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Job Title: Legislative Issues Intern
Location: Telecommuting

Description: kingsnake.com, the largest and oldest reptile and amphibian website in the world, is developing its Reptile Law Support Center (http://www.kingsnake.com/laws/)legislative to monitor and take action on proposed legislation that affects our community. This project includes an online contact network for receiving and disseminating legislative and regulatory information at all levels from national to local, and applicable international legislation/regulation as well.

We're looking for an intern to work with site founder Jeff Barringer and our staff and volunteers in developing and disseminating our positions, and implementing notification and action strategies within our community, on those regulatory proposals and issues.

This position may require limited public speaking and limited travel.

The internship position will pay a stipend of $400 a month, and require approximately 30-35 hours per month. There's the potential for this to transition to part time or full time employment for the right person.

Requirements:

- No criminal history
- Interest in reptiles and amphibians
- Experience with basic Internet tools (Email, forums, search, IM, chat, etc.)
- Experience with social media Tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Technology Requirements:

- Must have reliable computer and high-speed internet access
- Company will provide cell phone when needed

Pluses for the position would include:

- PolySci/law/herpetology eductional background
- Experience in reptile and amphibian hobby and/or industry
- Experience/knowledge of agencies involved. (USFWS, TPWD, CITES, etc.)
- Experience/knowledge of current legal issues