Fish & Wildlife rule package would ban some reptile/amphibian sales and add enforcement tools; agency and advocates debate "intentional" language

The Department of Fish & Wildlife told the Natural Resources & Energy Committee on Thursday that a draft rule package would expand protections for reptiles and amphibians, add enforcement tools and penalties, and create confidentiality for sensitive threatened-species locations.

"Presently in Vermont, you cannot possess any live wild animals. … But beyond that, snakes and turtles and products have no protection," the department's enforcement director, Justin, told the committee as he described the new provisions and the law-enforcement rationale for them.

What the draft does: The package discussed (referred to in committee as 02:30 / proposed into 02:31) would: - Prohibit commercial possession, sale and certain taking of reptiles and amphibians unless authorized by department rule. - Create civil-penalty options and expand the department's…