Bill description: HB 527 exempts from licensure requirements certain cold-blooded animals used in the pet trade or kept as pets.

Rating: +1

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

Idaho law requires individuals who "engage in any propagation or hold in captivity any species of big game animal found wild in this state" to first get a license or permit from the director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

HB 527 creates an exception for "any traditional or internet based pet store; or any animals considered household pets, including sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), and cold blooded animals found within the pet trade." 

(+1)

Analyst's Note: HB 527 does not invalidate, override, or preempt any other laws or regulations on importing animals, stating that the provision is "not intended to authorize the import of animals whose import is otherwise in violation of state, county, or city laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations."