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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 4123

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE RESOLUTION

No. 797 Session of 2004


        INTRODUCED BY HERSHEY, REICHLEY, PHILLIPS, B. SMITH, BUNT,
           ARMSTRONG, CIVERA, CLYMER, CURRY, GODSHALL, HENNESSEY, JAMES,
           R. MILLER, S. MILLER, PICKETT, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER,
           SURRA, YOUNGBLOOD AND ZUG, JUNE 21, 2004

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
           JUNE 21, 2004

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the
     2     feasibility and suitability of transferring the regulatory
     3     authority of exotic wildlife maintained in captivity from the
     4     Pennsylvania Game Commission to the Department of
     5     Agriculture.

     6     WHEREAS, The definition of "exotic wildlife" in Title 34 of
     7  the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is confusing and subject
     8  to misinterpretation; and
     9     WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Game Commission is currently the
    10  regulatory agency for exotic wildlife; and
    11     WHEREAS, The Department of Agriculture has the authority to
    12  regulate the health of all animals maintained in captivity; and
    13     WHEREAS, The citizens of this Commonwealth would greatly
    14  benefit from clearly defined areas of regulatory authority for
    15  exotic wildlife maintained in captivity; therefore be it
    16     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
    17  State Government Commission to study the efficacy of the
    18  existing statute and regulations as well as the feasibility and

     1  suitability of transferring the regulatory authority of exotic
     2  wildlife maintained in captivity from the Pennsylvania Game
     3  Commission to the Department of Agriculture; and be it further
     4     RESOLVED, That this study address the following:
     5         (1)  Protection of the public from dangerous animals and
     6     disease transmission from exotic wildlife to humans.
     7         (2)  Protection of the domestic animal population from
     8     unwanted predators, unwanted genetic interaction and disease
     9     transmission from exotic wildlife.
    10         (3)  Protection of the indigenous wildlife population
    11     from unwanted predators, unwanted genetic interaction and
    12     disease transmission from exotic wildlife.
    13         (4)  The care and keeping of exotic wildlife maintained
    14     in captivity.
    15         (5)  Categories of exotic wildlife which should be
    16     regulated and by which agency. Should any species be
    17     prohibited from being maintained in captivity?
    18         (6)  Recommendations for clarifying the relevant
    19     definitions related to regulating exotic wildlife maintained
    20     in captivity.
    21         (7)  Recommendations for local government involvement in
    22     the regulation of exotic wildlife maintained in captivity.
    23         (8)  Ways the budgets of the Pennsylvania Game
    24     Commission, the Department of Agriculture and the General
    25     Fund would be affected by any change in the regulatory
    26     authority for exotic wildlife maintained in captivity. What
    27     new costs would be associated with a transfer of authority to
    28     the Department of Agriculture?
    29         (9)  How would the existing work force be utilized if any
    30     change in regulatory authority is recommended? What new
    20040H0797R4123                  - 2 -     

     1     personnel would be necessary, what training would be
     2     available and at what cost?
     3  and be it further
     4     RESOLVED, That the report of the Joint State Government
     5  Commission be submitted to the House of Representatives by
     6  December 31, 2004.
















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