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! This has been updated with correct information for contacting senators. From their action alert:

The bill passed the House on 2/4. Attention must move to the Senate. Remember to be civil and professional at all times. Please personalize/edit your letters, if possible. We have a sample letter and Talking Points below.

1. Call your Senators;
2. Email your Senators;
3. Fax and mail letters to your Senators;
4. SHARE this and encourage others to complete the Alert!!!

Find and contact your two (2) U.S. Senators:

Go to this link: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Choose your State.
Click “Contact” under a Senator’s name.
Fill out the contact form. (You may need to click a second link such as SHARE, CONTACT, or EMAIL.)
Repeat for your second Senator.
You can find phone, fax, and mailing address details for Senators on their websites (after clicking “Contact”).
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.