The Invader Updater - Legislation

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The links below provide information about new or proposed invasive species legislation, directly from the government sources, and links to related news stories and opposing interest groups.

 

THE ROLE OF REGULATION IN PREVENTING INTRODUCTIONS

FLORIDA

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE:

  • CS/SB 318 - read the final text of the bill - The revised bill was signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist on 3 June 2010, and took effect on 1 July 2010. This bill prohibits posse/SSIon, import, sale, and breeding of any of the 6 reptile species previously listed as Reptiles of Concern or any conditional or prohibited species (including prohibiting internet sales delivering to Florida), unless permitted by the FWC. This bill also increased the penalties and fines for violations of these rules. Each year, the FWC will be required to report to Florida's Congress on the current list of conditional and prohibited species.
SPECIES PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS REPTILES OF CONCERN  BY FWC -- NOW PROHIBITED IN FLORIDA
Burmese Python
Northern African Rock Python
Southern African Rock Python
Reticulated Python
Amethystine or Scrub Python
Green Anaconda
Nile Monitor lizard
Conditional and prohibited species include piranha, electric eels, sea snakes, and red-eared slider turtles. For a complete list of conditional and prohibited wildlife, click here.
 

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMI/SSION (FWC):

LEGISLATION-RELATED NEWS:  (See more--go to News to Know)

UNITED STATES

PASSED LEGISLATION

PASSED FEDERAL AGENCY RULES:

  • US Fish and wildlife Service proposed rule - proposed to list 9 large constrictor species under the Lacey Act, thus preventing import and interstate transport.On 17 Jan 2012, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the passage of this ban in a modified form, which lists the Burmese python, South African python, North African python, and yellow anaconda under the Lacey Act.

PROPOSED LEGISLATURE (112th Congress):

  • Lacey Act - states that wildlife listed as injurious cannot be imported into the U.S. or transported between states. The USFWS, Senate and the House of Representatives are proposing to amend the Lacey Act to include various large constrictor species as follows:
    • H.R. 511 - CONSTRICTOR SNAKE BAN bill seeks to amend the Lacey Act to list nine constrictor species as injurious wildlife. This bill is a resubmi/SSIon of companion bills from the previous se/SSIon of Congress; includes species list from the least amended of the two former bills (i.e., SB373). More Info: Go to GovTrack or Open Congress
    SPECIES INCLUDED USFWS RULE* HR 511 USGS RISK LEVEL**
    Burmese Python YES YES HIGH
    Northern African Python YES YES HIGH
    Southern African Python YES YES HIGH
    Reticulated Python NO YES MEDIUM
    Common Boa Constrictor NO YES HIGH
    Green Anaconda NO YES MEDIUM
    Yellow Anaconda YES YES HIGH
    DeShaunsee's Anaconda NO YES MEDIUM
    Beni or Bolivian Anaconda NO YES MEDIUM

    *USFWS rule passed 17 Jan 2012 in modified form
    **USGS ecological risk assessment for constrictors


    • H.R. 892 - STOP ASIAN CARP ACT - seeks to require the Secretary of the Army to study the feasibility of the hydrological separation of the Great Lakes and Mi/SSI/SSIppi River Basins. This new bill is similar to the failed Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 (see below), and has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee for consideration. More Info: Go to GovTrack or Open Congress
    • SENATE BILL 471 - this is the companion bill to H.R. 892, the Stop Asian Carp Act, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for consideration. More Info: Go to GovTrack or Open Congress

DEAD LEGISLATION (111th Congress):

  • Senate Bill 373 / H.R. 2811 - Python ban companion bills sought to amend the Lacey Act to list all pythons (genus Python) as injurious wildlife. These bills were first amended to include only the nine constrictors proposed by the USFWS, and H.R. 2811 was later further amended to include only Burmese and Northern African Pythons. These bills never became law--but see H.R. 511 above.
  • H.R. 669  - this bill sought to require evaluation of invasive potential of imported exotic species, and was a resubmi/SSIon of a former dead bill, H.R. 6311. This bill never became law.
  • H.R. 3215 - sought to authorize the National Park Service / Everglades National Park to allow individuals to hunt and kill Burmese pythons within the boundaries of that park. This bill never became law.
  • SENATE BILL 3353 / H.R. 5625 - Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010 companion bills sought to require the Secretary of the Army to study the feasibility of the hydrological separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins. These bills never became law, but an Army Corps of Engineers study is currently underway--see our U.S. news page for more information.