Oregon set to ban exotics

I didn't have an article to copy. Got this from another site. Are there really 20 states that ban exotic pets?

CAPITAL PRESS (Salem, Oregon) 08 June 07 Oregon House panel approves exotic pet ban (Mitch Lies)
Salem: Oregon could join more than 20 other states to ban private ownership of exotic pets under a bill that recently passed a House committee.
The House Rules Committee June 4 moved House Bill 3437 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation despite objections from exotic pet owners, who said the ban was unnecessary and an infringement on their rights.
Linda Reynen, who works for a reptile refuge, said the bill also will lead to a large underground market for the pets, ultimately creating new problems for the pets and society as pet owners shy from reporting escapes and taking injured or sick pets to veterinarians.
Lawmakers amended the bill recently to allow an owner of an exotic pet to keep the animal for the life span of the pet. Once the pet dies, according to the bill, no new permit would be issued. Exotic pet owners would have 90 days from the Jan. 1, 2008, implementation of the bill to get a license.
House Bill 3437 does not target breeders and exhibitors of exotic pets, who operate under federal permits. But Molly Schaefer, who operates a USDA-licensed exotic pet breeding operation in Keizer, said the bill would devastate her business.
"It will erase my market," she said.
Supporters of the bill testified that exotic pets can be mistreated by pet owners who often are unprepared to care for them. Additionally, they said, pet shelters and zoos that can potentially house the pets are full and are no longer accepting new pets, leaving no ability for the owners to remove the pets to an appropriate setting.
Furthermore, bill supporters said, pets can escape causing human safety concerns.
"It's very important that we get control of exotic animals in this state," Rep. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, said.
But Deschutes County Commissioner Mike Daly, who owns a small monkey, said the bill unfairly targets pet owners who take good care of their pets. Further, he added, small exotic pets pose no human safety problems.
"He's been the light of our life for 12 years," Daly said of the monkey. "It fills a big need in our family."
He urged lawmakers to reject the bill.
The committee moved the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Only Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, voted against it.

Here's a site you can go to if you want to get involved.

http://www.rockcreekexotics.com/oregon_ban_bill.htm