ALERT: Texas - Name Update to Burmese rules

Two Texas bills are currently working their way through the legislature that will update the names in their existing law. This change is including the Burmese Pythons, which were previously considered a subspecies of Python molurus on their listing to full species status. Be aware, this is already a law and it is just an update to the nomenclature.

Below is the list of species included in the regulation that requires a TP&W permit. There are two permits available: one for possession and one for commercial business This is already law! The bill just adds the Burmese python and hybrids to the list. Bold text is the new language: (a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is: (1) venomous; or (2) constrictor that is one of the following: (A) African rock python, Python sebae; (B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus; (C) Burmese python, Python bivittatus; (D) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus; (E) reticulated python, Python reticulatus; or (F) southern African python, Python natalensis. The bill also adds this text: (c) If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity without holding a required permit and the defendant has been previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.

For more information, visit the USARK page on this here.