The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
BILL: SB 1266
INTRODUCER: Senator Rodriguez
SUBJECT: Venomous Reptiles
DATE: March 13, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Carroll Rogers EN Pre-meeting
2. CJ
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 1266 revises the penalties for the release or escape of certain reptiles. The bill provides, by
revision or addition, the following violations:
A violation of the rules or orders of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) that require housing of wildlife in a safe manner when the violation results in an
escape of wildlife other than any venomous reptiles is a Level Two violation. If this results in
the escape of any venomous reptiles that would be a Level Three violation;
Knowingly releasing a nonnative reptile of concern or allowing a nonnative reptile of
concern to escape through gross negligence is a Level Three violation;
Knowingly releasing any venomous reptile or allowing any venomous reptile to escape
through gross negligence a Level Four Violation;
Knowingly purchasing, selling, attempting to sell, offering to sell, conspiring to sell,
bartering, exchanging, trading, or importing for sale or use, any venomous reptile species
without having first obtained a special permit or license from FWC is a Level Four violation.
II. Present Situation:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is responsible for regulating,
managing, protecting, and conserving the state’s fish and wildlife resources.
1
FWC is governed
by a board of seven members who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida
Senate.
2
Under Article IV, Section 9 of the Florida Constitution, FWC has the authority to
exercise the regulatory and executive powers of the state with respect to wild animal life, fresh
water aquatic life, and marine life.
1
FLA. CONST. art. IV, s. 9.
2
Id.; see also s. 379.102(1), F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1266 Page 2
Nonnative Reptiles in Florida
Many nonnative species in Florida do not cause problems in the state, however some can become
invasive.
3
Invasive species are nonnative species that cause harm to the economy, environment,
or human health.
4
In many cases, invasive species may threaten native species, biodiversity,
ecosystem services, recreation, water resources, agricultural and forest production, cultural
resources, economies and property values, public safety, and infrastructure.
5
Nonnative reptiles in Florida include many species of crocodilians, turtles, snakes, geckos,
iguanas and relatives, monitors, skinks and girdled lizards, and whiptails and wall lizards.
6
Scientists estimated in 2015 that there were at least 63 established species of nonnative reptiles
and amphibians in Florida, including 48 species of lizards, 4 frogs, 5 turtles, 5 snakes, and 1
crocodilian.
7
Early invasive reptiles in Florida included small-bodied lizards and frogs that were early-
maturing insectivores and were strongly associated with people and disturbed habitats.
8
These
were mostly introduced through cargo and included the Cuban tree frog, brown anole, northern
curly-tailed lizard, and Mediterranean gecko. Newer invasive reptiles tend to be large-bodied
lizards and snakes. They are relatively early-maturing prolific breeders, are predators of
vertebrate prey, and they thrive in a wide range of habitats. These newer invasive reptiles were
mostly introduced through the pet trade and include the Burmese python, black spiny-tailed
iguana, Argentine black and white tegu, and Nile monitor.
9
Native Venomous Reptiles in Florida
There are six venomous reptiles – all snakes – native to Florida.
10
These snakes are the pygmy
rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber (or canebrake) rattlesnake, cottonmouth,
copperhead, and eastern coral snake. Distributions of these snakes in Florida are as follows:
Cottonmouths and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are found throughout the state;
Pygmy rattlesnakes are distributed throughout the state except for the Florida Keys;
Eastern coral snakes are found throughout the state except for the southern Keys; and
Timber rattlesnakes and copperheads are only found in parts of the Panhandle.
11
3
FWC, Florida’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife, https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/ (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
4
U.S. Forest Service, Invasive Species, https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/invasive-species (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
5
Id.
6
FWC, Nonnative Reptiles, https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/ (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
7
Frank Mazzotti and Rebecca Harvey, The University of Florida’s Institute of Flood and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), The
Invasion of Exotic Reptiles and Amphibians in Florida, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW365 (last visited Mar. 9,
2023).
8
Id.
9
Id.
10
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Dealing with Snakes,
https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/venomous_snake_identification.shtml (last visited Mar. 11, 2023).
11
Id. BILL: SB 1266 Page 3
Florida Regulations of Captive Reptiles
Under Florida statute, no person may capture, keep, possess, or exhibit any poisonous or
venomous reptile or reptile of concern without first having obtained a special permit or license
from FWC.
12
It is unlawful for any person, whether licensed or not, to capture, keep, possess, or
exhibit any venomous reptile or reptile of concern in any manner not approved as safe, secure,
and proper. FWC may inspect venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern that are held in captivity
to determine whether they are safely and properly penned. If they are not safely and properly
penned, the situation must be corrected within 30 days or the violator risks license or permit
revocation.
The Florida statutes prohibits keeping, possessing, importing into the state, selling, bartering,
trading, or breeding the following species except for educational, research, eradication, or control
purposes:
Burmese or Indian python (Python molurus),
Reticulated python (Python reticulatus),
Northern African python (Python sebae),
Southern African python (Python natalensis),
Amethystine or scrub python (Morelia amethystinus),
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus),
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus),
Green iguana (Iguana iguana),
Tegu lizard (any species of the genera Salvator or Tupinambis), and
Any other reptile FWC designates as a conditional or prohibited species.
13
A person who holds a permit issued before July 1, 2010 to legally possess one of the species
listed above may possess such reptile for the remainder of its life.
14
If the reptile outlives the
person, the reptile may be legally transferred to another entity holding a permit authorizing
possession of the reptile for the remainder of its life.
15
If FWC designates a species of reptile as a conditional or prohibited species after July 1, 2010,
FWC may authorize the personal possession of that newly designated species by those licensed
to possess it before the effective date of the species’ designation.
16
Currently, FWC does not list reptiles of concern, and former reptiles of concern have been listed
as prohibited species since April 29, 2021.
17
The conditional nonnative species list only contains
one reptile, the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).
18
12
Section 379.372(1), F.S.
13
Section 379.372(2), F.S.
14
Id.
15
Id.
16
Id.
17
FWC, Reptiles of Concern, https://myfwc.com/license/captive-wildlife/reptiles-of-concern/ (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
18
FWC, Conditional Nonnative Species List, https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/conditional-species-list/ (last
visited Mar. 9, 2023). BILL: SB 1266 Page 4
Venomous Reptile Permit
The venomous reptile permit issued by FWC authorizes personal possession and exhibition of
the venomous reptile family for which the permittee is approved.
19
The permit costs $100. To
qualify for a venomous reptile permit, an applicant must meet certain experience requirements,
must be at least 18 years old, and must not have been convicted of:
A violation of captive wildlife regulations;
A violation involving the illegal commercialization of wildlife;
A violation involving cruelty to animals; or
A violation involving importation of animals within three years of the date of application.
Applicants must also demonstrate no less than one year of substantial practical experience in the
care, feeding, handling, and husbandry of the species or other species within the same biological
family that are similar in characteristics and care to the species for which the permit is sought.
Applicants must also provide two references from individuals with firsthand knowledge of their
experience. The individuals must be licensed by FWC for venomous reptiles of the same family
for which the applicant is seeking authorization or must be a representative of a professional
organization or governmental institution which deals directly with venomous reptiles.
Additional permits are required for the importation of nonnative venomous reptiles and the sale
of all venomous reptiles.
20
Nonnative and Captive Wildlife Penalties
Level One Violations
A person commits a Level One violation if he or she violates any of the following provisions:
FWC rules or orders requiring free permits or other authorizations to possess captive
wildlife;
FWC rules or orders relating to the filing of reports or other documents required of persons
who are licensed to possess captive wildlife; or
FWC rules or orders requiring permits to possess captive wildlife for which a fee is charged,
when the person being charged was issued the permit and it expired less than 1 year prior to
the violation.
21
Any person cited for a Level One violation commits a noncriminal infraction and shall be cited
to appear before county court. The violator will be fined $50 if he or she has not previously been
found guilty of a Level One violation and $250 if he or she has previously been found guilty of a
Level One violation.
22
Level Two Violations
A person commits a Level Two violation if he or she violates any of the following provisions:
19
FWC, Venomous Reptile Fact Sheet, 1 (2023) (On file with the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources).
20
Id.
21
Section 379.4015(1), F.S.
22
Id. BILL: SB 1266 Page 5
Unless otherwise stated under Level One violations, FWC rules or orders that require a
person to pay a fee to obtain a permit to possess captive wildlife or that require the
maintenance of records relating to captive wildlife;
FWC rules or orders relating to captive wildlife not specified under Level One or Level
Three violations;
FWC rules or orders that require housing of wildlife in a safe manner when a violation results
in an escape of wildlife other than Class I wildlife;
23
FWC rules or orders relating to either conditional species or prohibited species;
Section 379.372, F.S., relating to capturing, keeping, possessing, transporting, or exhibiting
venomous reptiles, reptiles of concern, conditional reptiles, or prohibited reptiles;
Section 379.373, F.S., relating to requiring a license or permit to capture, keep, possess, or
exhibit venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern;
Section 379.374, F.S., relating to bonding requirements for public exhibits of venomous
reptiles;
Section 379.305, F.S., relating to FWC rules and regulations preventing the escape of
venomous reptiles or reptiles of concern;
Section 379.304, or 379.3761, F.S., relating to the exhibition or sale of wildlife; or
Section 379.3762, F.S., relating to personal possession of wildlife.
24
23
Class I wildlife is a defined list of species that present a real or potential threat to human safety. Possession of Class I
wildlife requires a license and species may not be possessed as a personal pet. There are substantial experience, cage, and
proof of commercial activity requirements that must be met before a license to possess Class I wildlife will be issued. FWC,
Class I Wildlife, https://myfwc.com/license/captive-wildlife/class-i/ (last visited Mar. 9, 2023).
24
Section 379.4015(2), F.S. BILL: SB 1266 Page 6
Level Two Violation Degree of Offense Fine or
Incarceration
License Restrictions
Has not been
convicted of a Level
Two (or higher)
violation within the
past three years
2
nd
Degree
Misdemeanor
Max: $500 or
Max: 60 days
None
Convicted of a Level
Two violation within
three years of a
previous conviction
of a Level Two (or
higher) violation
1
st
Degree
Misdemeanor
Mandatory Min:
$250; Max: $1,000
Max: one year
None
Convicted of a Level
Two (or higher)
violation within five
years of any two
previous convictions
of Level Two (or
higher) violations
1
st
Degree
Misdemeanor
Mandatory Min:
$500; Max: $1,000
Max: one year
Suspension of license
for one year
Convicted of a Level
Two violation within
ten years of any three
previous convictions
of Level Two (or
higher) violations
1
st
Degree
Misdemeanor
Mandatory Min:
$750; Max: $1,000
Max: one year
Suspension of license
for three years
In addition to the above penalties, a person who commits a Level Two violation that is a
violation of s. 379.372, F.S., relating to capturing, keeping, possessing, transporting, or
exhibiting venomous reptiles, reptiles of concern, conditional reptiles, or prohibited reptiles, or
rules or orders relating to wild animals identified as conditional or prohibited shall receive a
minimum mandatory fine of $100 and immediately surrender the wildlife for which the violation
was issued unless the person lawfully obtains a permit for possession.
25
Level Three Violations
A person commits a Level Three violation if he or she violates any of the following provisions:
FWC rules or orders that require housing of wildlife in a safe manner when a violation results
in an escape of Class I wildlife;
FWC rules or orders related to captive wildlife when the violation results in serious bodily
injury to another person by captive wildlife consisting of substantial risk of death, serious
personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily
member or organ;
FWC rules or orders relating to the use of gasoline or other chemical or gaseous substances
on wildlife;
25
Id. BILL: SB 1266 Page 7
FWC rules or orders prohibiting the release of wildlife for which only conditional possession
is allowed;
FWC rules or orders prohibiting knowingly entering false information on an application for a
license or permit to possess wildlife in captivity;
FWC rules or orders relating to the illegal importation and possession of nonnative marine
plants and animals;
FWC rules or orders relating to the importation, possession, or release of fish and wildlife for
which possession is prohibited;
Section 379.231, F.S., relating to illegal importation or release of nonnative wildlife; or
Section 379.305, F.S., relating to release or escape of nonnative venomous reptiles or reptiles
of concern.
26
Level Three
Violation
Degree of Offense Fine or Incarceration License
Restrictions
Has not been
convicted of a Level
Three (or higher)
violation within the
past 10 years
1
st
Degree
Misdemeanor
Max: $1,000
Max: one year
None
Convicted of a Level
Three violation within
ten years of a
previous conviction of
a Level Three (or
higher) violation
1
st
Degree
Misdemeanor
Mandatory Min: $750;
Max: $1,000
Max: one year
Permanent
revocation of
license or permit
Level Four Violations
A person commits a Level Four violation if he or she violates any Level Three provision after the
permanent revocation of a license or permit.
27
A Level Four violation is a third degree felony,
punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 or no more than a 5-year imprisonment.
Civil Penalties
In addition to other applicable penalties, FWC may impose a civil penalty of not more than
$5,000 for each animal, unless otherwise authorized.
28
For all related violations attributable to
each specific violator, the total civil penalty may not exceed $10,000 for each assessment for
each animal. In determining the amount of the civil penalty, FWC may consider:
A violator’s history of noncompliance for any previous violation of chapter 379, F.S.,
relating to FWC, or FWC rules or orders;
The direct economic benefit gained by the violator from the violation; and
The costs incurred by FWC related to the escape, recovery, and care of the wildlife for which
the violation was issued.
26
Section 379.4015(3), F.S.
27
Section 379.4015(4), F.S.
28
Section 379.4015(6), F.S. BILL: SB 1266 Page 8
The civil penalty assessed for a violation may not exceed $5,000 for each animal unless:
The violator has a history of noncompliance;
The economic benefit of the violation exceeds $5,000; or
The costs incurred by FWC related to the escape, recovery, and care of the wildlife for which
the violation was issued exceeds $5,000.
29
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 amends s. 379.305, F.S., to revise the Level Three violation to penalize a person who
knowingly releases any nonnative reptile of concern or who through gross negligence allows any
nonnative reptile of concern to escape, making it a Level Four violation for the same actions
involving any venomous reptile. The bill would not require the Level Three violation to include
release to the wild.
The bill adds that a person who knowingly purchases, sells, attempts to sell, offers to sell,
conspires to sell, barters, exchanges, trades, or imports for sale or use, any venomous reptile
species without having first obtained a special permit or license from the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) commits a Level Four violation.
Section 2 amends s. 379.4015, F.S., to provide that a person commits a Level Two violation if he
or she violates FWC rules or orders relating to captive wildlife not specified as a Level Four
violation. The bill adds that a person commits a Level Two violation if he or she violates FWC
rules or orders that require housing wildlife in a safe manner when violation results in an escape
of wildlife other than venomous reptiles.
The bill adds that a person commits a Level Three violation if he or she violates FWC rules or
orders that require housing wildlife in a safe manner when a violation results in an escape of
venomous reptiles.
The bill provides that a person commits a Level Three violation if he or she violates s. 379.305,
F.S., only relating to release or escape of nonnative reptiles of concern, removing venomous
reptiles to conform to Section 1 of the bill.
The bill adds that a person commits a Level Four violation if he or she violates s. 379.305(3),
F.S., relating to release or escape of venomous reptiles, and s. 379.305(4), F.S., relating to
purchase, sale, attempt to sell, offer for sale, conspiracy to sell, barter, exchange, trade, or import
for sale or use of any species of venomous reptile.
Section 3 provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
29
Id. BILL: SB 1266 Page 9
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends sections 379.305 and 379.4015 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None. BILL: SB 1266 Page 10
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.