Hello everyone, Today was not a very good day for the Democratic process. The domestic ferret, a tame family pet, is legal in every country in the world and in every state on the continent, except california. Here, there are estimated to be some 5000,000 ferrets belonging to some 2000,000 owners. AB 363, a bill to legalize this animal in California was introduced by Assemblyman Jan Goldsmith (R-Poway) in February of this year. Its passed both Assembly Committees, Water Parks and Wildlife and Appropriations, by clear majority votes with only one vote in opposition in each committee. On June 5th AB 363 passed the California State Assembly by a landslide 64-8 vote. From there it moved to the Senate Natural Resources Committee where it was severely amended to address the concerns of the opposition by prohibiting sales, importation and breeding of ferrets while the state conducts a study funded by ferret owners. Only ferrets currently in California would be legalized, and they would have to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies. AB 363 passed this Committee again with a clear majority and a single no vote. As amended, AB 363 would have done one thing, and one thing alone. It would have simply given the several hundred thousand ferret owners in California the opportunity to enjoy their domesticated pets without fear of confiscation, or fines. It would have given them something they long for and deserve: peace of mind. But on August 25th, hopes for passage of AB 363 this year were killed by one man, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Patrick Johnston (D-Stockton). Senator Johnston refused to meet with the ferret legalization bill proponents to hear their side of the issue and refused to allow a vote in his committee. Members of this committee indicated support for passage of AB 363, and it would have moved on to the Senate floor, but this will not happen now because this bill has been effectively euthanized by Senator Johnston. We are told that Senator Johnston has aspirations to be a Congressman someday. Do you think he will listen your concerns? Would you want him to represent you? Californians for Ferret Legalization [Posted in FML issue 2055]