For those interested, here's a short version. I typed it up as I was re-reading and clarifying for myself. Feel free to correct me if I've made any mistakes.

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This is a bill, proposed on June 19, 2008. (Bills that are being seriously considered are available to us at "www.senate.gov", btw.)

Goal of the bill: Basically, it's a way of setting standards which will help to weed out any "dangerous" animal species that may be in America. The bill claims it is a, "risk assessment process".

During the assessment process, the following factors will be considered:
1. Species type
2. Geographic origin
3. Was it a "dangerous" species in its place of origin?
4. Could the U.S. environment support it?
5. Could it establish itself here?
6. Would it spread?
7. Will it harm our native wildlife?
8. Will it harm rare or endangered wildlife?
9. Will it harm habitats or ecosystems?
10. Is it going to bring over any bugs or parasites with it?
11. Anything else of importance.

And then there's a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo, saying that they will do this fairly and in an orderly time and blah blah blah...

Any species that are already on "do not touch" lists will be excluded. But we still can't touch them!

Then it says we'll be able to view this on the web and make comments, "for 10 months after the date the Secretary publishes the request for submissions". And, "Before issuing the initial list, the Secretary shall ... make available on the Internet the proposed initial list; and ... provide for, a period of not less than 60 days, an opportunity to submit public comments on the proposed list".

So we'll get to see it and voice our general displeasure.

It continues on with more mumbo-jumbo before saying that anyone can petition the secretary to add or remove a species from the "banned" list. But of course, it'll be very time consuming and annoying and quite possibly costly. (It doesn't say that last bit.)

Then it lists possible punishments if the public opts to continue housing the "banned" species. (Mostly monetary)

And finally, gives some humorous definitions.