Due to the heavy alert volume this year, we have created an ALERT page on our website at https://usark.org/alerts/. Please visit that page if you just began receiving our newsletters.
Also, please see below for an update on membership shirts as many members have been inquiring. ALERT: South Carolina
Full alert at
https://usark.org/2021-sc-venom/. Contact the SC legislators ASAP! It only takes a few minutes! This is a backdoor effort to completely ban venomous non-native reptiles just before the last day of the session. This was done to hide from the opposition and it makes a mockery of the legislative process and American government. After returning from a short recess, the vote will happen on Tuesday (May 11).
Two bills moving through the South Carolina legislature regarding non-herpetoculture matters were amended to include a ban on non-native venomous reptiles at the very end of the legislative session. Both bills were nearly through the legislative process when the amendments were added. H3539 adds the ban to the previous text regarding swine. H3056 completely stripped the previous bill language regarding various SCDNR laws and replaced it with this ban.
Read more and take action at
https://usark.org/2021-sc-venom/.
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3929072997174624/ ALERT: North Carolina
House Bill 594 (H594) is another “traveling animal act” ban that misleads as to its intention. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion from the reader. H594 prohibits using certain animals (list at the link and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in "traveling animal acts," which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. The punishment is a Class II misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
PLEASE READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN! With all of the problems in our world, we actually have to fight a bill that could land you in jail for 60 days because you took a tortoise to a classroom to talk about reptiles.
Full details at the links below.
Website ALERT:
https://usark.org/alert-nc-2021/
Facebook ALERT: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3881285385286719/ ALERT: Branson, Missouri
UPDATE from 5/1/21: This ordinance is still being discussed and the final ordinance decision has been postponed. Any local residents should meet with their Alderperson and educate him/her on the matter. There will be upcoming town hall meetings and a new draft may be heard in August.NOTE: The new ordinance originally included a ban on all “exotic” animals (with a broad definition) and a pet limit of 4 dogs/cats. There have been some changes but the ordinance is still overreaching.ALERT at
https://usark.org/alert-branson-mo/ ALERT UPDATE: Illinois
Thank you to everyone who opposed this bill! HB3889 has received a motion to table! Essentially, this will be the end for this bill as the sponsor is pulling it from consideration (i.e. no hearings and it will die) under Rule 60(b) that allows the Principal Sponsor of a bill to table his/her bill at any time.
This bill would have:
- Banned any animal species non-native to the U.S. being transported and then viewed by any audience;
- the only exemption applies to programs in which the animal is not transported at a “non-mobile, permanent institution, or other facility;”
- violation penalty is up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor);
- 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.
ALERT UPDATE: Lacey Act Amendment
We updated our alert with the bill text and a summary for S626. This is more than a bill that would reverse the USARK federal lawsuit victory by reinstating the ban on interstate transportation of species listed as injurious under the Lacey Act. The bill has sweeping ramifications not only for herpetoculture, but many other animal interests potentially affecting nearly all species (both non-native and native) of animals not considered domesticated. We will present a detailed Action Alert soon and when appropriate. Please read our update at the link below.
Website LINK: https://usark.org/2021-lacey/
Facebook LINK: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3766820980066494 ALERT UPDATE: Eureka, California
UPDATE: Membership Shirts
Thanks for your support! All shirts for memberships through the end of February should go out by next week unless we were out of your size (we ordered again last week). If you registered in March or April, your shirt(s) will go out as soon as we get our next run of shirts printed. There was a disclaimer at the top of the registration page stating shirts may take 6-8 weeks to arrive. Some members did have to wait a little longer but our new system will get shirts out much faster after we are done playing catch-up. Our apologies again for the delay but we are working to get all shirts out and to avoid this problem in the future. Have a good day.
Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically
Find A Vet