Note- this is a long one so it's posted in 2 parts:

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The Reptile Talks
Registration is open! After a successful first event, it is almost time for the second installment of The Reptile Talks. Join us in Anaheim, California, May 16-18.

This conference is an effort to promote inclusion and provide content that is of benefit to the entire hobby, not just one segment or another. They are doing all of this to promote the responsible keeping of reptiles and amphibians under human care, with all funds left over after operational costs donated to USARK. Thank you, The Reptile Talks!

PLUS, your registration now includes a FREE USARK shirt! Select your size when registering.

Current speaker list:
Philippe de Vosjoli -one of the founding fathers of modern herpetoculture
Mike Stefani - Mike’s Monitors
Ed Kammer -Kammerflage Kreations
Michael Cole - Ballroom Pythons South & USARK FL
Roxana Peña Popo - Research Coordinator at Amphibian Foundation
Ari Flagle - Reptilandia Reptile lagoon
Armen Keuylian - HerpTime
Mark Miles - Pythons by Mark Miles
Bonnie Person - Verdant Vivariums
Cameron Lamb - Cameron Lamb Exotics
Zac Loughman -professor of biology at West Liberty University
Roy Arthur Blodgett - Wellspring Herpetoculture

Schedule:
May 16: evening icebreaker
May 17: talks from 9:00-5:00 and benefit auction at 6:00
May 18: talks from 9:30-5:00

Register and book a hotel room at https://www.thereptiletalks.com/register.
See the speaker list and talk information at https://www.thereptiletalks.com/speakers-1.
Website: https://www.thereptiletalks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thereptiletalks
Instagram: @thereptiletalks
Alerts that are new, updated, or have upcoming deadlines are first.ALERT: ESA Listing for Blue Tree Monitors
The comment deadline is February 24, 2025! Click the link for more details on how and what to comment. https://usark.org/23esa2/

UPDATE 12/27/24: FWS has used emergency rulemaking to apply a 240-day temporary listing for the blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is effective immediately. FWS has proposed that this listing will be permanent. They can choose not to list the species if the evidence does not support the listing, or they can modify the listing. This will now be an expedited process. Anyone working with this species, especially those who have successfully bred it, should submit information (see full alert for info) to FWS. Comments must be submitted by February 24, 2025.
Read more athttps://usark.org/23esa2/.
ALERT: Washington "Do Not Release" Brochure
UPDATE 2/18/24: The hearing just ended. HB1976 received only favorable verbal testimony but dozens of people opposed the bill through the online system. USARK testified in favor with suggestions to make the end product better, such as a simpler postcard with basic information, QR code, and accompanying website, which the state already has through its Don’t Let It Loose resource. No vote occurred today.

House Bill 1976 had its first reading today (Feb. 14) and will require pet stores to provide a brochure with all animal and aquatic plant sales. The brochure, produced by the Washington Invasive Species Council, will include information about invasive species, the importance of not releasing animals, and what to do if you can no longer care for animals or aquatic plants.
This will provide education and resources to people buying animals and aquatic plants. If the brochure is done well, this could be a great effort that supports responsible animal ownership.
HB1976 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on February 18 at 10:30 a.m. Get more information at https://usark.org/25wa/.
ALERT: South Carolina Venomous Ban
South Carolina House Bill 3937 (H3937) was introduced on Feb. 6, 2025 by Representative Hixon. It will ban venomous reptiles (list below). The bill makes it illegal to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell within this State. Current owners can get permits and must register their animals within 90 days of the effective date.

Get full details at https://usark.org/25sc/.
ALERT: Virginia Mammal Breeding Restrictions
UPDATE: Potential House vote on Monday, Feb. 17.

This bill has been amended twice since our original alert, when it included all types of animals. UPDATE 2/4/25: The bill barely passed the Senate with a 21-18. It was amended again and the text is at https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038436.PDF. The bill now bans hybridizing and hand-raising mammals. Zoos have some exemptions.

Full details at https://usark.org/25va/.
ALERT: Colorado
UPDATE 1/22/25: The PACFA meeting was today. USARK and three stakeholders attended in person (who all did great when speaking), with a few more in attendance virtually. PACFA is still accepting comments and plans to post the formal proposal by February 28. Email comments to cda_pacfa@state.co.us.

Read the full alert at www.usark.org/24co2.
The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) Program under the Colorado Department of Agriculture has drafted new regulations and amendments. Changes apply to herp, bird, fish, and mammal regulations. There is a link in our alert with the changes marked in red and described in detail (last several pages). This is a first draft for review, and PACFA is taking input from stakeholders. We appreciate PACFA working with stakeholders.

Rule changes include:
+ Enclosure requirements and minimum thresholds before requiring a PACFA license for certain reptiles and amphibians
+ Exemptions from sterilization requirements for cats and dogs in shelters and rescues
+ Vaccination requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets imported into PACFA-licensed facilities
+ Adding definitions and rules around foster homes and foster providers
ALERT: Final and Interim FWS Salamander Rules
Alerted on January 8: In January 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published an interim rule listing 201 species (20 genera) of salamanders as injurious under the Lacey Act. FWS has now finalized that rule and written an interim rule adding 16 genera (about 164 species), opening a public comment period regarding those species. The comment deadline is March 11.

Read more at https://usark.org/25salamander/.