Death of HR 511

Corey209 · 01-04-13, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Today the 112th Congress came to a close, and with that HR511, aka “The Python Ban” died a quiet death. HR511 was a legislative version of the recent rule making by US Fish & Wildlife Service to add nine constrictor snakes to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. Where the rule making fell short by adding only the Burmese python and 3 other snakes, HR511 would have superseded the rule making adding all nine snakes to the Injurious list. Much to the chagrin of animal rights advocates, after two years and two congressional hearings, HR511 has finally been defeated.

Introduced in early 2011 by Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL), HR511 languished with very little attention for about one year. In early 2012 the bill moved to a mark up hearing and was reported out of the House Judiciary Committee with two amendments that would require “knowingly violating” the law, and provide exemptions for certain shippers. Uncharacteristically, HR511 was held for legal review until September.

Upon its final release by the Judiciary Committee, HR511 was picked up by the House Natural Resources Committee for hearing. Andrew Wyatt was the first expert witness chosen to testify on behalf of herpetoculture by committee staff. Wyatt nominated Dr. Brady Barr of the National Geographic Society and Shawn Heflick of NatGeo WILD also be called as expert witnesses. PIJAC recommended Colette Sutherland to represent the pet industry.

On November 29th, 2012, Chairman John Flemming (R-LA) the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs held a full hearing. Wyatt used the new cold weather study by Jacobson et al, 2012 as the central argument demonstrating why pythons were unable to survive north of the southern tip of Florida. Heflick and Barr related their “boots on the ground” experience with pythons in the Everglades supporting the findings of Jacobson et al. Colette Sutherland gave a heartfelt depiction of the impact that unjust legislation would have on her family, business and other similar businesses. Wyatt reinforced that HR511, if passed, would have an economic impact of as much as $104 million annually.

Wyatt, Heflick and Barr were extremely effective in convincing the subcommittee that HR511 was based on fundamentally flawed science and would be a “job killer” in a time of economic hardship. With herpetoculture advocates now proactively dictating the narrative regarding the question of south florida pythons, the committee decided to discharge HR511 without a vote; thus curtailing all momentum from the bill.

Today HR511 died with the close of the 112th Congress.

mykee · 01-04-13, 09:43 AM

It'll be back, stronger than before.
As I've stated before, I for one am for the ban, with the exclusion of boas.

Corey209 · 01-04-13, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

It'll be back, stronger than before.
As I've stated before, I for one am for the ban, with the exclusion of boas.

I know the large pythons are still illegal to sell across states but are boas?

Will0W783 · 01-04-13, 10:22 AM

Corey, currently the ban only affects Burmese python, African rock python and the green Anaconda. Reticulated pythons are still legal to ship and sell across state lines, as are boas. HR511 would have changed that, adding boa constrictor, reticulated python, the other three species of Anaconda and scrub pythons to the ban.

Corey209 · 01-04-13, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Corey, currently the ban only affects Burmese python, African rock python and the green Anaconda. Reticulated pythons are still legal to ship and sell across state lines, as are boas. HR511 would have changed that, adding boa constrictor, reticulated python, the other three species of Anaconda and scrub pythons to the ban.

This answers my question, thanks!

Snakeman8 · 01-04-13, 11:04 AM

HR511 is gone?! yes!

StudentoReptile · 01-05-13, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

Corey, currently the ban only affects Burmese python, African rock python and the green Anaconda. Reticulated pythons are still legal to ship and sell across state lines, as are boas. HR511 would have changed that, adding boa constrictor, reticulated python, the other three species of Anaconda and scrub pythons to the ban.

Incorrect. It is not a "ban" because you can still own said species within your state. They are on the injurious wildlife list of the Lacey Act, which means they cannot be transported across state lines, and can no longer be imported into the U.S. from another country. Also, green anacondas were not a part of this; YELLOW anacondas are.

**Aaron_S** · 01-05-13, 08:12 AM

Here's a question, how would this ban on transporting across state lines be enforced?

Gungirl · 01-05-13, 08:43 AM

Aaron I think the only real enforcement at all is more or less breeders selling them online and shipping them to other states. If a single person was to buy one at an expo a state over and bring it home no one would ever know.

Jendee · 01-05-13, 08:51 AM

what's funny is unless u use shipurreptiles. com...or are registered as a reptile shopper through FedEx it's been illegal to ship reptile since....forever and people do it daily anyways lol and as far as I know only 3 states have their own python ban//rules Florida being one of them, which was needed