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USARK Alert - Lacey Act Amendment SB 626

bcr229

bcr229

Snakes Are Cool
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https://usark.org/2021-lacey/

ALERT: Lacey Act Amendment 2021
Mar 12, 2021 | USARK Newsletter

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has introduced Senate Bill 626 (S626). This is 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. While the text has not been posted, the bill title clearly states the intent: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections against the importation, and transport between States, of injurious species, and for other purposes.

In our landmark court decision, four federal judges agreed that USARK was correct and that the Lacey Act (Title 18 Section 42) did not ban interstate transportation of injurious species based on the original language of the Lacey Act and the intent of Congress. As a result of this fight for our members and the herpetocultural community, this meant animals domestically bred under human care could be moved and sold across state lines (within the continental United States). For herpetoculturists’ concerns, this included a few species of constrictor snakes and a long list of salamanders. The bill may also contain an “emergency designation” authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to list species as injurious under the Lacey Act.

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) is a co-sponsor. S626 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

We will post additional information soon.
 
Ive been saying this for years FWC is NOT after "reasonable laws and restrictions" They want to criminalize almost every aspect of the reptile/amphibian hobby.
 
Likely FL and HI likely want an easier way to get USFWS involved in their state affairs, and are short-sighted enough that they don't care that this is a baby-with-the-bathwater way to do that.

It is too bad that it is something as misguided as this legislation that brings the Montagues and Capulets together on something.
 
It's disappointing that this thread isn't more active.
This could virtually end interstate transportation of herps in the U.S. if it passes.
https://usark.org/2021-lacey/
Every amphibian/reptile keeper in the country should be concerned enough to write a letter to this committee. They should also be supporting USARK with membership and/or donations.
 
You can use https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/s626 to monitor progress on this bill. Fortunately it's in the early stage so there is time to oppose it.

The sponsor and co-sponsor are from Florida and Hawaii, two states that are the most vulnerable to the introduction of non-native invasive species. When contacting your legislators you can point out that these states can create their own laws regarding injurious species, and that violations of those state laws would be covered under the Federal Lacey Act already if the species were shipped into the state, so there is no need to muck further with the federal law.
 
The wording is out. Not enough people are paying attention to this. This is broadranging and extends to all herps,fish,crustaceans wild birds and wild mammals.
 
Done, it's easy to contact your Senators. A quick google search should get you to their official website where you can easily use a secure form to send an email. Here's what I sent to my State's senators, feel free to use or edit as you would like:


I'm writing in opposition to S.626 Lacey Act amendment.

I would like to see a no vote on S.626 on the basis that it involves the Federal government in actions which are better handled at the state and local levels. Additionally, this act would be detrimental to conservation efforts by breeders to build and maintain viable populations through captive breeding efforts .

Sincerely,

CA links:

--Feinstein
https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me


--Padilla - scroll down a bit
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/

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