ALERT: Rhode Island Animal Program Ban
This bill has a hearing on March 2 at 4:00 PM. Room 101 in the State House, 82 Smith St., Providence, RI 02903.

Rhode Island House Bill 5703 (HB5703) is another animal program ban with broad-sweeping implications. HB5703 prohibits using any animal except “domestic animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and farm animals” in educational outreach and other programs. This is a ban on educational programs in classrooms, public libraries, at Scout Troop meetings, and more. Violators may be fined $50 to $500 per animal and up to 30 days imprisonment for each day in violation.

Read the full alert and take action at https://usark.org/23ri/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/5926062970808940.

ALERT: Illinois Animal Program Ban
Illinois House Bill 3695 (HB3695) is a broad-sweeping ban on educational animal outreach and other programs with any animal species not native to the United States. This bill amends the current law that forbids using elephants in such acts. Any program with these animals that “amuses, entertains, or benefits an audience” will be banned. Animal rights and pseudo-animal welfare groups will again feed the legislators false propaganda and misinformation, so we must do our job to educate legislators properly.
This bill bans much more than lions jumping through rings of fire. It is a ban on taking a Greek tortoise into a classroom for an educational program about reptiles. It is a ban on taking a ball python, a red-eyed tree frog, a parakeet, and a hedgehog into a library for an educational show discussing the differences between reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. It is a ban on llamas and any other non-traditional livestock at the State Fair or county 4-H fairs. Basically, if an animal non-native to Illinois is placed into a vehicle and taken to any location where someone will see it, other than a veterinarian in a private room, then it would become an illegal activity, and you are a criminal. You could receive a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for taking a leopard gecko into your child’s classroom for a presentation.

Briefly:

  1. This is a ban on any animal species non-native to the U.S. being transported and then viewed by any audience;
  2. the only exemption applies to programs in which the animal is not transported at a “non-mobile, permanent institution, or other facility;”
  3. violation penalty is up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor);
  4. This bill amends the current law (720 ILCS 5/48-11) which only applies to elephants but would include ALL non-native species and those of a “foreign character” if it passes.

Read the full alert and take action at https://usark.org/23_il/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/5922144534534117/.
ALERT: Oregon Animal Program Ban
UPDATE 2/28: The bill was moved to the Judiciary Committee. Please send additional emails to the new Committee members!
Oregon House Bill 3214 (HB3214) is sponsored by Representatives Zach Hudson and David Gomberg. HB3214 prohibits using certain animals (list below and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in “traveling animal acts,” which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. It authorizes the forfeiture of animals used in violations. Punishment is a maximum of six months imprisonment, a $2,500 fine, or both, plus legal seizure of your animals.
Regardless of what species are involved, this bill is unnecessary, redundant, and a waste of Oregon tax dollars. Animal welfare laws are already in place and measures like this bill only punish responsible citizens instead of actually penalizing criminals.
The unintended consequences are many. It is a ban on taking a Greek tortoise into a classroom for an educational program about turtles and tortoises. It is a ban on taking a dwarf monitor lizard into a library or to a Scout troop meeting for an educational show discussing reptiles.

Read more and take action at https://usark.org/23or/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/5862227380525833/.
ALERT: New Mexico Animal Program Ban
UPDATE 2/8: After a long debate and discussion, this bill was tabled a second time. It could return this session but hopefully, that is all for this year. Please keep sending your opposition letters! Thank you to everyone who voiced opposition. Your voices made a difference!
New Mexico Senate Bill 134 (SB134) is another “traveling animal act” ban with broad-sweeping implications. SB134 prohibits using any animal except “domesticated dogs, domesticated cats or livestock” in educational outreach and other programs. This is a ban on any "transport and display" of all non-domesticated animals, so that means school programs, fairs, Scout Troops, herp club meetings, and even reptile shows.

Full details athttps://usark.org/23nm/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.5759179780830594/5795806257167946/.

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLFT5CU3BR0&t=193s
ALERT: Washington Animal Program Ban
UPDATE: This bill should be dead for this seesion as it failed to meet the deadline for passage through committee.

SB5148 and HB1157 ban programs with thousands of species including ALL “snakes and reptiles,” ferrets, sugar gliders, and more. Unsuspecting Washingtonians do not know the ramifications of this misleading bill.

Full details, sample messaging, and more at https://usark.org/23wa/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/5755090647906174/.
ALERT: Connecticut Animal Program Ban
UPDATE: A hearing (that lasted over twelve hours) was held on February 27 that contained a lot of testimony from both sides. USARK, USARK members, and others provided strong and logical arguments against the bill.

The Connecticut Animal Advocacy Caucus has introduced a traveling exotic animal performance ban (HB5123) again for the 2023 session with some slight differences from previous versions. The bill’s Statement of Purpose: “To prohibit the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts.” This will prohibit using certain animals (listed in our alert) in outreach programs with the assumption that inherent cruelty and abuse are present. There are no exceptions.

Full details, sample messaging, and more at https://usark.org/23ct/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/5768594053222500/.
ALERT: Loudoun County, Virginia Ban
Loudoun County is proposing a ban on “wild or exotic animals” (see species list in full alert) deemed as a public safety risk by the County. This is in reaction to an irresponsible owner whose illegally owned alligator escaped.

Full details at https://usark.org/22va2/.

Facebook alert at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/5705089436239629/.
USARK Shirts are Available Online
Our shop is open at https://usark.org/product/shirttokay/ (or just click the "Shop" link in the menu) to purchase our current t-shirt (picture at the bottom of this newsletter).

This screen-printed, cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant with a slightly modern fit (but true to size). U.S. domestic shipping is free! Plus, one USARK sticker per shirt is included.
Find A VetNeed 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/search/custom.asp?id=3661.
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