ALERT: Alabama
The Alabama Department of Natural Resources had proposed new regulations that will impact some herpetoculturists. Comments are due Thursday, August 4, 2022.
Public hearing and comments:
The public hearing is 10:00 AM on August 4 at the Folsom Administrative Building Room 474, 64 N. Union Street, Montgomery, Alabama. You must provide notice of appearance to speak at least 48 hours in advance to dcnr.wffdirector@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Written comments must be submitted by August 4 to dcnr.wffdirector@dcnr.alabama.gov or mail to Charles Sykes, 64 N. Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. The phone number is 334-242-3465.
Changes of note:

  1. Makes all king snakes (Lampropeltis spp.) and hybrids illegal to own, breed, and sell without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner. Currently, only Eastern, prairie, and black “speckled” king snakes are listed.
  2. Makes it illegal to own more than one box turtle (all Terrapene spp.) or sell/trade a box turtle without a scientific collection permit or permit from the Commissioner.
  3. There are other new rules including, but not limited to, additional protected nongame species and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake regulations.
  4. The full proposal can be read at https://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/220-2-.92.pdf.

Full details and sample messaging at https://usark.org/2022al/.
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ALERT: Dinwiddie County, VA
Dinwiddie County has proposed changes to its ordinance by adding “SECTION 4-7. WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMALS.” This proposal will have a hearing at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in the Government Building Boardroom, 14010 Boydton Plank Rd, Dinwiddie, Virginia.
The language is rather vague and also contradictory. It could include animals not specifically listed and may or may not allow even listed animals if they were bred in captivity (due to the conflicting language). Here is the proposed language:
ORDINANCE TO AMEND DINWIDDIE COUNTY CODE TO ADD SECTION 4-7. WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMALS. The amendment would prohibit the keeping within Dinwiddie County of wild or exotic animals, to include any (i) live monkey, raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded mammal, (ii) poisonous or venomous snake, (iii) tarantula, (iv) other poisonous or venomous animal normally found in the wild, or any member of the crocodilian family. Non-poisonous/non-venomous snakes, ferrets, rabbits, lab rats, gerbils, hamsters and other similar small mammals, and other domesticated animals which have been bred in captivity are not wild or exotic animals. The ordinance would make certain exceptions. Changes may be made to the ordinance after the public hearing.
You can view the County notice at http://www.dinwiddieva.us/DocumentCenter/View/9525/BOS-Public-Notice-for-July-19-2022-Mtg?bidId=.

Full details and sample messaging at https://usark.org/2022dinwiddie/.
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/5226271740788070/.
NEW Lacey Act website
Don't blacklist pets! A new website with a simple method to contact your federal legislators to stop the horrific Lacey Act amendments in the America COMPETES Act has been posted at https://dontblacklistpets.com. It takes less than a minute to contact your legislators! Also, be sure to complete and share our simple alert linked in the section below.
ALERT: Lacey Act Amendments
It only takes a few seconds! We have posted a quick and easy way to voice opposition to your legislators. Please complete and share the new alert found at https://usark.org/alert/. Email and call now.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/5181149978633580/

The conference committee is now under pressure to get a reconciled bill before the August recess begins. Do not let these Lacey Act amendments get slipped into the final bill. Speak up! After doing the quick alert, take an additional minute or two to do the original alert at https://usark.org/2022lacey/, too! And please SHARE these alerts on your social media channels!
Lacey Act Frequently Act Questions (FAQ)
We have compiled a comprehensive list of questions and answers regarding the unsettling Lacey Act amendments found in the America COMPETES Act. Please read and share to keep animal communities and businesses informed. This is especially helpful on social media where we have seen misinformation posted regarding this issue. This FAQ is a very valuable and informative tool to keep everyone educated. Thank you to everyone opposing these disturbing and overreaching changes to the Lacey Act!

On our website: https://usark.org/2022laceyfaq/

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