New England Herpetological Society

**** IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION -- PLEASE READ THIS! ****

Two herptile related bills have been introduced on the federal level, HR699 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and S373 in the U.S. Senate.

S.373, A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Florida Senator Bill Nelson.  *** S.373, also known as "The Python Ban" is in committee right now.  Click the links below for the latest information.  A letter campaign is ongoing with a deadline of January 12th.  Click this link to see how you can help RIGHT NOW!!!! 

H.R. 669, Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act, a bill to prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or other animal species' or human health, and for other purposes, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Madeleine Bordallo.  The bill is co-sponsored by 12 House members (listed in content below) including Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, with the backing of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Defenders of Wildlife.  While H.R. 669 is not technically defeated, the bills main sponsor has acknowledged in committee that "changes will be needed to address various concerns before any legislation moves forward."

USARKS (U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers) and PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council) have launched active campaigns to fight both legislative items.

The Lacey Act is the current statute that is used to prevent the importation or spread of potentially dangerous non-native species. On September 21, 2006, USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) received a petition from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) requesting that Burmese pythons be considered for inclusion in the injurious wildlife regulations pursuant to the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42). The USFWS  began an Injurious Wildlife Species Review Regarding Python, Boa and Eunectes Species Of Snakes in early 2008.  A Notice of Inquiry was published inviting public comment.  NEHS submitted a letter in response to that inquiry.

This page is an index of information collected from all sides of the discussion.  Information sources are provided to aid in putting the information in context.   I encourage everyone to educate yourself on these issues, and act accordingly.

S.373, A bill to amend title 18, United States Code

1. S.373 on Opencongress.org (bill details, status, news reports, etc.),
2. Introduction of S.373, To amend title 18, United States Code
3. The Full Text of S.373 is available at:  http://thomas.loc.gov/ enter S373 in the search field.
4. Full Text of Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, U.S. Code with proposed ammendment inserted
5. Palm Beach Post Article about S.373, Thursday, February 05, 2009
6. Press Release from USARK (U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers) opposing S.373
7. Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Position on S.373 (From PIJAC PET ALERT - February 17, 2009)
8. Claims of Potential Expansion throughout the U.S. by Invasive Python Species Are Contradicted by Ecological Niche Models - a research paper by R. Alexander Pyron, Frank T. Burbrink, Timothy J. Guiher
9. USARK S.373 Campaign
10. Congressional Budget Office to score S.373 (From USARK)

H.R. 669, Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act

1. H.R. 669 on Opencongress.org (bill details, status, news reports, etc.)
2. Introduction of The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (January 26, 2009) H.R. 669
3. The Full Text of H.R. 669 is available at: http://thomas.loc.gov/ type HR669 in the search field.
4. Section by Section description of HR669 issues by the staff of the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
5. Press Release from Humane Society of the United States in support of H.R. 669
6. Press Release From USARKS (U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers) opposing H.R.669
7. USARK Follow up First Alert on HR669 - NO on HR669 / Grassroots Organizing 101
8. PIJAC Statement on HR669 from http://www.pijac.org
9. Cost-benefit analysis of pre-import screening by Reuben P. Keller, David M. Lodge & David C. Finnoff
10. National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species brochure in support of HR669
11. Position Paper of the Ecological Society of America
12. United States Association of Reptile Keepers Position on Passage of HR669
13. USARK Testimony before Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans & Wildlife
14. USARK Letter to Honorable Madeline Bordallo May 20, 2009

USFWS Injurious Wildlife Species Review Concerning Python, Boa, and Eunectes genera

1. The Full Text of The Lacey Act
2. USFWS Notice of Inquiry
3. NEHS response to USFWS Inquiry