03/27/2019
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UPDATE: ACT NOW! This bill has passed the Assembly and moved to the Senate. We have updated our alert. Please Share and take just a few minutes to complete our alert.
ACTION ALERT: Nevada Assembly Bill 479
Full details at www.usark.org/2019-blog/nevada-dwa-2019/.
Summary: AB479 bans the importation, possession, sale, transfer, and breeding of “dangerous wild animals,” or DWAs. The bill allows a person who possesses a DWA before July 1, 2019, to keep that animal only if the person meets certain requirements (i.e. $250,000 liability insurance, etc.). This is not a true grandfather clause as it involves much more than registration of the animals.
Some flaws with AB479:
The bill proposes redundant legislation. For example, the importation, transportation, and possession of non-native venomous snakes and crocodilians (listed as DWAs in this bill) are already prohibited (unless qualifying as one of the few exemptions found under NAC 503.110, such as accredited zoos);
This bill removes regulatory authority and flexibility from the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Governor-appointed Wildlife Commission, which already possesses the power to regulate these species through rulemaking;
Regulation of these animals should proceed through the Wildlife Commission and not through State legislators who are being fed misinformation from those supporting this bill.
Get the rest (sample letters, legislator contacts, etc.) at www.usark.org/2019-blog/nevada-dwa-2019/.