The last time I wrote, HB5219 had been reported out of the House Ag Committee. It was reported out (2/12/98) with a recommendation with substitute (H1). All that substitute does is take out a line that says "handle the ferret in accordance with current published guidelines of the centers of disease control and prevention" and replace it with "BE HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE '1998 COMPENDIUM OF ANIMAL RABIES CONTROL' PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIANS, INC., WHICH IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE." which is fine. There are 3 other minor deletions but the one above is the one that counts. Anyway, it was referred to the House for a second reading (2/12/98). Substitute H1 (the Bill with the revision) was adopted (2/19/98) and it was place on third reading (2/19/98). On 2/24/98 it was passed by the House with a 91 to 9 vote and given immediate effect. The 9 who voted NAY (this is an election year, folks. You have a chance to vote NAY yourself) are Patricia Godchaux (R-Birmingham), Dan Gustafson (R- Williamston), Mark Jansen (R-Grand Rapids)(not my district, tho) , Terry London,(R-Marysville), Charles Perricone (R-Kalamazoo), Andrew Richner (R- Grosse Pte. Park), Mary Schroer (D-Ann Arbor), Judith Scranton (R-Brighton), Keith Stallworth (D-Detroit). Stallworh Schroer, Gustafson, and London are term limited so consider them gone unless they run for a Senate seat. The voting booth is the best place to let them know how YOU feel about their decision. Next Step: The bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Hunting, Fishing and Forestry. It was previously the Ag and Forestry Committee but since the death of one Senator, the Senate Majority Leader did some committee reorganizations. The members are: David Jaye (R-Washington Twp.), Joel Gougeon (R-Bay City), George McManus(R-Traverse City), Dianne Byrum (D-Onondaga) and Christopher Dingell (D-Trenton). Jaye and Dingell are new members. Gougeon is from the Bay City where the whole Kodo incident started. Dingell has his own SB616 languishing before this committee already. I hope he has better luck getting HB5219(H1) thru than he's had with his own bill. If anyone wishes to write to the Senators on this committee, they all have the same address, State Capitol P O Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536 The House Legislative Analysis Section put together a 3 1/2 page analysis on the House Bill and did a great job. The bill has the support of the Dept of Ag, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the Great Lakes Ferret Association. We'll see what happens next. Dee Beau & Nilla [Posted in FML issue 2230]