The America COMPETES Act has passed the house on a very slim vote. It is imperative that each and everyone one of us reaches out to our senators to oppose the passing of this act. This will impact more than just reptile owners. IF your pet could survive in the everglades, your pet could be next. This measure does not ban ownership, however it bans transport across state lines. While this may be primarily aimed at the trade and sale, it will also effectively end the ability to keep your pets if you move out of state or even if your vet is in another state, you could not take your pet to receive veterinary care it needs. USARK has sample letters, directions on how to get your letter into your senator's hands.

We added a portion of the original action alert after the bump with the info you need or you can visit USARK's info page here.

USARK recently caught a few amendments being hidden in the 2000 page plus America COMPETES Act of 2022.

This brief run down of what could be impacted can be found on USARK's page.

1. Provide that the Lacey Act bans the interstate transport of species listed as injurious. Specifically, it replaces Lacey’s current language ‘‘shipment between the continental United States’’ with ‘‘transport between the States.”
2. Create a “white list” of species that can be imported. This means that any animal (reptile, amphibian, fish, bird, mammal, invertebrate) that is not on the white list is by default treated as an injurious species and is banned from importation.
3. Create a new authority allowing FWS to use an “emergency designation” that becomes effective immediately after being published in the Federal Register unless an extension of no more than 60 days is allowed. That means no due process, public input, hearings, advanced notice, etc. for injurious listings.
4. Permit FWS to not allow importation if a species has not been imported in “minimal quantities” (to be defined) in the year prior to the enactment of this Act.
The effective date would be one year after the enactment of this Act.

This can and will impact more than just reptiles, so reach out to your friends and family that own things other than your normal dog and cat. If a species can survive in Florida, it may be targeted. Once a species is listed as injurious crossing state lines with the animal becomes illegal, even if it is for you to move OR going to a veterinarian! You will still be able to own it. However this also can impact our trade as well. This is is far more restrictive than the originally proposed "Big 5" that USARK was able to overturn with a lawsuit.

What can you do? USARK has given us everything we need! From their action alert:

Through Feb. 2, contact the House Rules Committee and your federal Representatives. Remember to be civil and professional at all times. Please personalize/edit your letters, if possible. If the bill passes the House with the amendments, then attention must turn to the Senate.

1. Call your Representatives’ offices (link below) and the Rules Committee at (202)-225-9091;
2. Email Representatives (link below);
3. Fax letters to (202)-226-9191 and your Representatives;
4. SHARE this and encourage others to complete the Alert!!!

The page also includes ways to find out who your representatives are as well as a form letter that you can copy and paste. You can find the action alert here.