68A-25.002: General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptiles
68A-25.006: Possession, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles: Prohibited Species
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Purpose of this rule amendment and rule repeal is to delete provisions regarding the importation of certain tortoises and provide for the continuation of permit requirements for possession of venomous reptiles until January 1, 2008, at which time superseding requirements will become effective in new Rule 68A-6.007, F.A.C. The rule repeal will eliminate on January 1, 2008, provisions for caging and exhibition of venomous reptiles. Those provisions will be replaced by Rule 68A-6.007, F.A.C., on that date. The effect of this rulemaking will be to consolidate related regulatory provisions in the same place and allow citizens easier access to them.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Importation of non-native tortoises; possession and exhibition requirements for venomous reptiles.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution., 372.6672, 372.6673, 372.86, 372.921, 372.922 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: James V. Antista, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, (850)487-1764
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
68A-25.002 General Provisions for Taking, Possession and
(1) through (13) No change.
(14) On or after July 1, 1990, and until January 1, 2008, any person or entity not currently permitted to possess or exhibit venomous reptiles must qualify for a permit by meeting the following criteria:
(a) Submit documentation in accordance with the criteria specified in paragraph 68A-6.0022(5)(c), F.A.C., showing a minimum of one (1) year substantial practical experience in the care, feeding, handling and husbandry of the family of venomous reptiles for which the permit is sought.
(b) Shall not have been convicted of a violation of venomous reptile regulations for three (3) years prior to application for such permit.
(c) Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
(15) No leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) or African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) shall be imported or transported into this state, without a special permit issued by the Commission. The basis for the issuance of such permit shall include:
(a) That each shipment is accompanied by a veterinary certificate stating that all specimens are free from external parasites;
(b) That all shipping containers used to transport such tortoises are incinerated within 24 hours;
(c) Such other conditions as may be necessary to insure that no tortoise infested with ticks capable of transmitting the Heartwater disease is imported into
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2007.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9,
68A-25.006 Possession, Exhibition and Caging Venomous Reptiles: Prohibited Species.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2008.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9,