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We are sending this email to everyone we know, whether inside or outside the state of Texas regarding ownership, possession or transporting venomous snakes or live constrictors not indigenous to this country. Please take a few moments to read over this and send it to as many herpers that you know. Also, please start sending emails, letters, etc. to the folks involved in this House Bill 1309. Addresses are listed below. And be sure to copy us on it so that we can take all the papers with us when we meet with the committee in Austin. If you find articles in the local newspapers, or any other journal source, please send us the link. We need to work quickly on this.
FROM: Randal & Bonnie Berry: legislation@texasreptiles.com
Michael Price: michael.price@sanangelotexas.us
Dave Barker: vpi@beecreek.net
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION PENDING
REGARDING OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORTING
VENOMOUS SNAKES OR LIVE CONSTRICTORS
NOT INDIGENOUS TO THIS COUNTRY
PLEASE SEND ALL WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE (letter, fax, email) TO US
as we will compile all of these documents when we meet with the
Members of this Committee in Austin.
Randal & Bonnie Berry
P.O. Box 191866
Little Rock, AR 72219
Phone & Fax: 501-562-7311
PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERY HERPER YOU KNOW!
HI HERPERS:: WE NEED YOUR HELP ... The following House Bill has been introduced to the Texas Legislature by Representative Harvey Hilderbran, a Republican, who represents the Kerrville area in the House. This would affect all of those who own or possess or transport into this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor that is not indigenous to this country, (That's right, country, not county.) This proposed Bill would require permits from everyone who deals with these reptiles and will be enforced by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
A copy of this Bill in its entirety is below. It is up to us to stop this Bill in its tracks. Calls and emails to Rep. Hilderbran (who authored the Bill) have not been answered or returned.
Please participate in this important Legislation.
We need to send letters, emails, faxes or make phone calls to Rep. Harvey Hildebran as well as the members on this Committee. We also need to contact the House Representatives and Senators in our area, as well as the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House. And, it wouldn't hurt to contact each Member of the House and Senate. Anything and everything you can do will help.
PLEASE SEND US A COPY OF ANY LETTER, EMAIL OR FAX THAT YOU SEND TO THESE REPRESENTATIVES. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER(S), FAX AS WELL AS THE NAME OF THE COUNTY YOU ARE FROM.
IF YOU ARE SENDING AN EMAIL FROM YOUR COMPUTER, PLEASE bcc US ON IT.
IF YOU ARE SENDING AN EMAIL FROM THE LEGISLATURE eMAIL, PLEASE BLOCK COPY IT, FORWARD IT TO US, THEN SEND IT TO THE LEGISLATURE.
IF YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF YOUR CHILDREN HOLDING SNAKES (A LITTLE BALL PYTHON OR BOA) THAT IS NON-NATIVE TO THIS COUNTRY, PLEASE ATTACH THEM. THIS WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN GETTING TO THE HEART OF THIS MATTER -- CUTE PICTURES AND CUTE CHILDREN!
WE WILL ACT AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS. IN THE EVENT WE ARE ABLE TO MEET WITH THIS COMMITTEE IN AUSTIN, ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS WILL BE VERY HELPFUL. WE CAN'T STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.
1.
The following lists the Representatives on this Committee for House Bill 1309. The addresses, phone, fax and emails are listed below.
COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
POSITION
ON COMMITTEE
CAPITOL ADDRESS &
PHONE NUMBERS
DISTRICT ADDRESS
&
PHONE NUMBERS
COUNTIES
REPRESENTED
Rep. Harvey Hilderbran (R)
Chairman
Room CAP GW.12
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0536
(512) 463-1449 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=53&rep=harvey.hilderbran
125 Lehmann Dr
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-2333
(830) 792-4289 Fax
Crockett, Sutton, Schliecher, Real, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Mason, Llano, San Saba, McCulloch, Concho, Coleman, Runnels, Callahan
Rep. Edmund Kuempel (R)
Vice Chair
Room CAP 3N.06
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0602
(512) 480-0391 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=44&rep=edmund.kuempel
523 E. Donegan #102
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 379-8732
Wilson, Guadalupe, Gonzales
Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D)
Budget & Oversight Chair
Room EXT E1.504
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0506
(512) 463-7864 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=46&rep=dawnna.dukes
Travis (part)
Rep. Mark Homer (D)
Member
Room EXT E2.408
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0650
(512) 463-0575 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=3&rep=mark.homer
1849 Lamar
Paris, TX 75460
(903) 784-0977
Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, Titus, Red River
Rep. Donna Howard (D)
Member
Room EXT E2.812
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0631
(512) 463-0901 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=48&rep=Donna.Howard
Travis (part)
Rep. Mike O’Day
(R)
Member
Room EXT E1.208
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0707
(800) 878-6826 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=29&rep=mike.oday
P. O. Box 2358
Pearland, TX 77588
(281) 997-8071
(281) 997-3686 Fax
Brazoria (part), Matagorda
Rep. Larry Phillips (R)
Member
Room EXT E2.604
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0297
(512) 463-1561 Fax
**e-MAIL: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=62&rep=larry.phillips
421 North Crockett
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-7297
(903) 870-0066 Fax
Fannin, Grayson
** NOTE: This is actually a web page where you can send emails
2.
ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES
GOVERNMENT
POSITION AT
LEGISLATURE
CAPITOL ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBERS
Gov. Rick Perry
GOVERNOR
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
Texas Callers: (800) 252-9600
Out of State Callers: (512) 463-1782
FAX: (512) 463-1849
**http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
Sen. David Dewhurst
LT. GOVERNOR
Capitol Station
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Tel (512) 463-0001
**http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/Contact/?PHPSESSID=0de29804f60e2b1e7e9f1ec7f7e1b769
Rep. Tom Craddick (R)
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Room CAP 2W.13
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-1000
(512) 463-7722 Fax
**http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=82&rep=tom.craddick
3.
TEXAS RESIDENTS
The following link will take you to the name and pertinent information about each Member of the Texas House of Representatives. From there, you can search for the Members in your District by address and zip code.
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/welcome.php
4.
TEXAS RESIDENTS
The following link will take you to the name and pertinent information about each Member of the Texas Senate. From there, you can search for the Members in your District by address and zip code.
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Members/Members.aspx?Chamber=S
4.
NON-TEXAS RESIDENTS
For those of you who reside outside of Texas, please send your letter, email, faxes to the Members of the above committee for House Bill 1309. This is just as important for you. If you attend any reptile shows in Texas, this could create a lot of problems and high costs, as no-doubt, the out-of-state residents will have to pay a higher permit fee. This also pertains to those of you who transport into Texas.
5.
SAMPLE LETTER
This is a sample letter that you can send to the legislators. You can add or delete the contents, and add any other comments you may have. Remember, send us a copy and include photos if you have any. We need to act fast on this!
Dear Representative / Senator / Governor / Lt. Governor / Speaker of the House __________________
We are a group of hobbyists who keep reptiles and we vehemently oppose your pending legistation, HB 1309.
We feel our rights to house or purchase ANY reptiles, whether indigenous or not to this country, should be without restraints or dictated by law. We are professionals, zoo curators, students, animal care technicians, breeders and hobbyists, plus we are represented by people from all walks of life.
The impending legislation HB 1309, would prohibit our passion and life long endeavor for caring or studying reptiles. This affects not only Texas residents, but people from other states or countries who bring non-native Texas snakes into Texas.
Did you ever stop to think that many children and adults who are allergic to dogs and cats have found an alternative with snakes and other reptiles? In fact, one of the most popular beginner snakes is the Ball Python which comes from Central Africa. Ball Pythons are a small species, are very hearty and require minimal care, as opposed to dogs and cats. Plus, we know of no one who is allergic to snakes and other reptiles!
What is your agenda behind this H.B. 1309? Who are the constituents who asked you to present this Bill?
We are a huge group of voters and we want our voices to be heard.
Your name
Your address
Your county (if in Texas)
6.
This is a copy of the actual Bill which is now pending.
80R2369 KCR-D
By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 1309
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the possession or transportation of certain snakes that are not indigenous to this country; providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Subchapter V to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER V. NONINDIGENOUS SNAKE PERMIT
Sec. 43.851. PERMIT. (a) The commission by rule shall establish a permit that allows a permit holder to possess or transport in this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor that is not indigenous to this country.
(b) A permit under this subchapter is not required for:
(1) a state or county official performing an official duty;
(2) a licensed circus, carnival, menagerie, or zoo that possesses or transports a snake for exhibition or scientific purposes; or
(3) a research facility licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.) that possesses or transports a snake for scientific purposes.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not possess or transport in this state a snake described by Subsection (a) without a permit issued by the department under this subchapter.
Sec. 43.852. FEE FOR PERMIT. The commission shall set a fee for a permit issued under this subchapter.
Sec. 43.853. OFFENSE. A person who violates this subchapter commits an offense that is a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. (a) The Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt the rules necessary under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.
(b) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall begin issuing permits under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
(b) Sections 43.851(c) and 43.853, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, take effect January 1, 2008.
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