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        PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 4123                      PRINTER'S NO. 4217

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, ZUG, BOYD, DALEY, DENLINGER AND CRAHALLA,
           JUNE 21, 2004

        AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
           HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 29, 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


     1  existing statute and regulations as well as the feasibility and
     2  suitability of transferring the regulatory authority of exotic
     3  wildlife maintained in captivity from the Pennsylvania Game
     4  Commission to the Department of Agriculture; and be it further
     5     RESOLVED, That this study address the following:
     6         (1)  Protection of the public from dangerous animals and
     7     disease transmission from exotic wildlife to humans.
     8         (2)  Protection of the domestic animal population from
     9     unwanted predators, unwanted genetic interaction and disease
    10     transmission from exotic wildlife.
    11         (3)  Protection of the indigenous wildlife population
    12     from unwanted predators, unwanted genetic interaction and
    13     disease transmission from exotic wildlife.
    14         (4)  The care and keeping of exotic wildlife maintained
    15     in captivity.
    16         (5)  Categories of exotic wildlife which should be
    17     regulated and by which agency. Should any species be
    18     prohibited from being maintained in captivity?
    19         (6)  Recommendations for clarifying the relevant
    20     definitions related to regulating exotic wildlife maintained
    21     in captivity.
    22         (7)  Recommendations for local government involvement in
    23     the regulation of exotic wildlife maintained in captivity.
    24         (8)  Ways the budgets of the Pennsylvania Game
    25     Commission, the Department of Agriculture and the General
    26     Fund would be affected by any change in the regulatory
    27     authority for exotic wildlife maintained in captivity. What
    28     new costs would be associated with a transfer of authority to
    29     the Department of Agriculture?
    30         (9)  How would the existing work force be utilized if any
    20040H0797R4217                  - 2 -     

     1     change in regulatory authority is recommended? What new
     2     personnel would be necessary, what training would be
     3     available and at what cost?
     4  and be it further
     5     RESOLVED, THAT THE SCOPE OF THIS STUDY BE LIMITED TO EXOTIC    <--
     6  WILDLIFE AND SHALL NOT INCLUDE "GAME ANIMALS" AS DEFINED IN
     7  TITLE 34 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES; AND BE IT
     8  FURTHER
     9     RESOLVED, That the report of the Joint State Government
    10  Commission be submitted to the House of Representatives by
    11  December 31, 2004.













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