As many of you know, David and I are more or less going crazy and buying lots of snakes. As many of you do not know, there is currently a bill ( HB 783) in the hands of the Senate Natural Resources Committee that would ban the trade of all constrictors in Louisiana. No Imports, No Exports. This law applies to ball pythons, boas, corn snakes, king snakes, just about all snakes really. Currently the law is only for snakes over 12 feet, but if the changes to the bill pass, all constrictors (all are non venomous) will be banned. This puts David and I, and many others in the area (Exotics by Nature, 50 fathoms, bayou reptiles... just to name a few) in a very bad spot.
Please Read the info below, can call these Senators, Even if you don't particularly like snakes, you should still stand up for rights and freedoms. It may only be snakes today, but consider other outlawings... Ferrets in Cali, and a few other states, pit bulls all over major us cities, prairie dogs, small turtles, plants etc. It won't belong before lizards, all turtles, and any reptiles at all are banned. With only one dissenting vote from the house, this bill could pass the senate as early as Thursday the 27th.
I would also ask you to consider the economic impact of completely deleting a multimillion dollar industry (tax dollars = levees) from our already crippled economy.
Don't Louisianans need to be helped not to be hurt further? Don't be scared t call either, the senators serve us. (E-mail’s don't seem to do any good btw)
Here's a link to the bill
http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdat...asp?did=378268
Info on the bill/points to make when you call/ numbers to call
( From Bill Watts of the LGCHS)
The number for the Senate switchboard was omitted from the previous communication. ALL Senators can be reached at 225-342-2040 while the Senate is in session. You may call their district offices and let them know that HB783 is opposed and also call the switchboard number and speak to the Senator. Also, Senator Walter Boasso of Chalmette (504-270-9258, Kenny Tucker is Legislative Aide) was instrumental in getting a similar bill withdrawn last year. Talk to him also.
CLICK THIS LINK FOR SENATOR'S PHONE NUMBERS
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Senators/Offices.asp
Natural Resources Committee
Committee Members
Senator Max T. Malone (Chairman)
610 Marshall Street
Suite 722
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 676-5733
malonem@legis.state.la.us
Senator "Nick" Gautreaux (Vice-Chairman)
209 E. St. Victor Street
Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 740-NICK
gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us
Senator Robert J. Barham
Mailing:
Post Office Box 249
Physical:
509 Dogwood Street
Oak Ridge, LA 71264
(318) 244-5582
barhamr@legis.state.la.us
Senator Reggie P. Dupre, Jr.
P. O. Box 3893
Houma, LA 70361-2016
(985) 876-9902
lasen20@legis.state.la.us
Senator Joe McPherson
880 Robinson Bridge Road
Woodworth, LA 71485
(318) 484-2211
lasen29@legis.state.la.us
Senator Michael J. "Mike" Michot
P.O. Box 80372
Lafayette, LA 70598
(337) 262-1332
lasen23@legis.state.la.us
Senator Craig F. Romero
300 Iberia Street
Suite B-150
New Iberia, LA 70560
(337) 364-8006
romeroc@legis.state.la.us
Senator D. A. "Butch" Gautreaux (Interim Member)
1103 Eighth Street
Morgan City, LA 70380
(800) 562-3204
lasen21@legis.state.la.us
The Senate Natural Resource Committee is the next stop for HB783. The link below gives you contact information for the State Senators that are on the SNRC. Please contact as many of these Senators as you can and encourage others to do so also. Phone calls are more effective than email. When you speak with a Senator, be polite and respectful and be ready to tell them why you are opposed to HB783. These reasons include 1) that the current law for constrictors at 12 feet is working well 2) most constrictors stay small 3) Louisiana climate is not conducive for survival of large constrictors that aren't kept indoors during the winter; we are not Florida 4) the new law will be a hardship on breeders and pet shops and will stifle commerce in these areas [if you own a business, you need to really drive this point that your business will suffer] 5) the LA SPCA, Baton Rouge Animal Control and the Audubon Zoo are all opposed to this law as well as the Louisiana Reptile and Amphibian Task Force and numerous biologists that teach at state universities 6) the only support for this legislation is ONE animal activist 7) these constrictors are NOT as threatening as the sponsor of the bill would have you believe. The picture of the Burmese choking on an alligator that was shown to the Representatives is an old one that came from the Internet. There are many other reasons that you can think of. If you email a Senator, please Bcc a copy to
info@lgchs.org. PLEASE MAKE CONTACTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. CALL AGAIN EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO A SENATOR. We will let you know as soon as we know when the SNRC will meet on HB783 and how you can participate at that meeting. Remember, even if you don't keep constrictors, laws can be passed that will restrict the ownership of your particular reptile. So make the call for the sake of preserving private ownership of reptiles. Contact Bill Watts at
info@lgchs.org if you need the name of your Senator. Thank you.
The Senate Natural Resource Committee meets on Thursdays. HB783 will not be heard this week. The earliest that it can be held would be next Thursday, April 27. We will let you know as soon as we find out. Please continue to contact Senators and let them know that you oppose HB783. The number for Baton Rouge is 225-342-2040 and their district offices are on the link below. We have been getting some good reports that some Senators will oppose the bill as it is written. Please continue to make contacts to reinforce calls that others have made. Thank you for your efforts.
If you have questions please ask me, and please tell your senators how much you oppose HB 783
Linear Mode
