---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4909"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4909"
heading: "Petitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4909"
units:
  - "Chapter 69 — Wild Exotic Bird Conservation"
---

# §4909. Petitions

- (a) **In general—** Any [person](/usc/16/4903.md?p=4) may at any time submit to the [Secretary](/usc/16/4903.md?p=6) a petition in writing requesting that the [Secretary](/usc/16/4903.md?p=6) exercise authority of the [Secretary](/usc/16/4903.md?p=6) under this chapter to—
  - (1) establish, modify, or terminate any prohibition, suspension, or quota under this chapter on [importation](/usc/16/4903.md?p=3) of any [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) of [exotic bird](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2);
  - (2) add a [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) of [exotic bird](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) to, or remove such a [species](/usc/16/4903.md?p=7) from, a list under [section 4905 of this title](/usc/16/4905.md); or
  - (3) determine under [section 4906 of this title](/usc/16/4906.md) whether an [exotic bird](/usc/16/4903.md?p=2) breeding facility is a [qualifying facility](/usc/16/4903.md?p=5).
- (b) **Consideration and ruling—** For each petition submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/4903.md?p=6) in accordance with [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/16/4903.md?p=6) shall—
  - (1) within 90 days after receiving the petition, issue and publish in the Federal Register a preliminary ruling regarding whether the petition presents sufficient information indicating that the action requested in the petition might be warranted; and
  - (2) for each petition determined to present such sufficient information—
    - (A) provide an opportunity for the submission of public comment on the petition; and
    - (B) issue and publish in the Federal Register a final ruling on the petition, by not later than 90 days after the end of the period for public comment.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–440, title I, § 110, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2229.)