Hello all! I guess I need to introduce myself a little more, so you can gauge my level of competence on this issue. I am on the board of directors for MD Ferret PAWS. For the last few years we have tried go get the "Ferret Protection Act" passed in Maryland. From the word go we have had a hand in drafting, supporting, gathering evidence, and testifying in committee about this bill. The current draft of the bill HB1292, sponsored by Del. McComas, has been assigned to the Judiciary committee. Go to MDFerretpaws.org to get a synopsis of last year's bill (this year's version is similar), the official legal language is a bit hard to get around. Now to the "meat" of this post, in particular a response to Kim Fox. HB1292, The Ferret Protection Act is the *only* bill that pertains to ferrets in the Maryland legislature. I can not stress this enough. Kim said >I am aware of HB 1292...the ferret protection bill...this is something >different. It is not a rumor, but was a topic on a talking heads show >on WBAL earlier in the week. Yes, it was a topic on Chip Franklin's show on WBAL radio (1090AM). This link http://wbal.com/shows/franklin/story.asp?articleid=40808 See topic "More Fun in Annapolis..." provides a link to what he was talking about. It happens to be HB1292, The Ferret Protection Act". Like I said yesterday, he got it wrong. Kim also said >I received more information last night on what is being called the >"anti ferret bill" It is not yet a bill but IS a topic in committee,... >the first step prior to becoming a bill. This is incorrect. Formal discussion in committee does not work this way. A delegate sends his bill to the dept of legislative services. They write it. The delegate then submits it to the Chief Clerk of the House. The bill is assigned a number, read in the chamber and assigned to committee for discussion. (The other part of the legislature has a similar process with different names - but this is enough of a civics lesson, no?). I do note that the delegates could be having informal discussions amongst themselves, but highly unlikely considering they have hundreds of bills to formally go over in the space of 90 days. I just don't see this issue being a priority. On top of this is the fact that in Maryland ferrets are *LEGALLY* considered to be a DOMESTIC, COMPANION animal. What's next? Dogs? Kim also said and "You can also check out the House of Delegates website for updates on topics in committee by clicking on resolutions." This will give you a bill#, which everything under discussion has, which Kim's bill, per her quote above, does not. I'm not trying to flame Kim here. I understand her feelings, and I know that my reaction would be similar if I believed what she does. However, The heresy surrounding this topic, and the rumor, and the "my friend" are truly jeopardizing the chances for HB1292, and that a shame for all of us. Thanks, Michelle Butler MDFerretPAWS.org [Posted in FML issue 5156]