Indiana Bill

[ER12]

Indiana Bill Targets Exotic Animals
Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 4:30 p.m., EST

Senate Bill 280, introduced by Senator Jim Arnold on Jan. 11, would require a person who sells at least six “exotic reptiles” in one calendar year to obtain a state permit. In addition, the proposed measure provides penalties for releasing “exotic animals” into the wild.
An “exotic reptile” is defined as a reptile that is not native to Indiana or has been rooted out from Indiana and is either a wild reptile or feral reptile. An “exotic animal” is defined as an animal that is not native to Indiana or extirpated from Indiana and is either a wild animal or feral animal that is not a cat or dog.
If approved, Senate Bill 280 would make it a misdemeanor to sell an exotic reptile without a permit issued by the state department of natural resources. Permits would be valid for one year and fees would be determined by the department. The bill mandates that permit fees not exceed $50.
SB 280 would also make it a misdemeanor to release an exotic animal into the wild without legal authorization or a permit issued by the department of natural resources. Violators would be subject to fines of up to $2,500.
SB 280 currently sits in the Senate Committee on Corrections, Criminal & Civil Matters where it awaits its first committee hearing.
http://www.petproductnews.com/headli...c-animals.aspx

[2kdime]

Politician saw a way to make more money....

Decided to jump on it

[kc261]

I don't see this as a bad thing. A $50 permit that is only required for people who sell reptiles, not the average pet owner, is not much at all.

Releasing them into the wild definitely should be illegal.

[ER12]

A few questions I have though is how and why the number 6 was chosen. It seems arbitrary to me.
I can see having to have permits to keep and sell hots, crocodilians, and large constrictors. But I do not see why there should be permits for most other animals such as ball pythons, geckos, or colubrids, etc.

[Clear]

I see a new way of taxing the public.

[nixer]

did anyone actually read what the bill states?

Introduced



Second Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2010)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
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SENATE BILL No. 280




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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning agriculture and animals.




Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:




SOURCE: IC 14-22-10-12; (10)IN0280.1.1. --> SECTION 1. IC 14-22-10-12 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 12. (a) As used in this section, "exotic animal" means an animal that is:
(1) not native to Indiana; or
(2) extirpated from Indiana and either a:
(A) wild animal; or
(B) feral animal other than a dog or cat.
(b) A person who, without a permit issued by the department, or without being otherwise legally authorized, knowingly or intentionally releases an exotic animal or a wild animal into the wild commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(c) Notwithstanding the maximum fine under IC 35-50-3-4, the court shall order a person convicted under subsection (b) to pay a fine of at least five hundred dollars ($500) and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).

SOURCE: IC 14-22-10-13; (10)IN0280.1.2. --> SECTION 2. IC 14-22-10-13 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]: Sec. 13. (a) As used in this section, "exotic reptile" means a reptile that is:
(1) not native to Indiana; or
(2) extirpated from Indiana and either a:
(A) wild reptile; or
(B) feral reptile.
(b) As used in this section, "person in the business of selling exotic reptiles" means a person who sells at least six (6) exotic reptiles in one (1) calendar year.
(c) A person in the business of selling exotic reptiles who knowingly or intentionally sells, barters, trades, or in any other way transfers possession of an exotic reptile without a permit issued by the department in accordance with this section commits a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) A person not in the business of selling exotic reptiles who sells, barters, trades, or in any other way transfers possession of an exotic reptile without notifying the department in accordance with this section commits a Class C infraction.
(e) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning the issuance of an annual permit to sell, barter, trade, or in any other way transfer possession of exotic reptiles by a person in the business of selling exotic reptiles. The fee for a permit described under this subsection may not exceed fifty dollars ($50) per year.
(f) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 concerning the manner in which a person not in the business of selling exotic reptiles shall notify the department if the person sells, barters, trades, or in any other way transfers possession of an exotic reptile.