2008 Washington State Legislative Session

The Washington State legislative session ended on March 12, 2008---thank you for your hard work in speaking out for animals. Because it is an election year, many bills did not make it through the legislative process. Although this was disappointing, PAWS will continue to work throughout 2008 to prepare for next year's session.

Below is a snapshot of the animal-related bills PAWS monitored this term and tips on how you can help advocate on behalf of animals year round.

WA HB 2438: Allows Hunting Cougars with Hounds
Substitute House Bill extends a 2004 pilot program, poorly designed from the beginning, to continue widespread indiscriminate hunting of cougars for another three years in five counties, and allows other counties to opt in under minimal requirements. State wildlife agents already have the authority to remove "problem cougars" with hounds when public safety is a concern. Yet state department officials consider hound hunting of cougars---problem or not---a practical wildlife management tool.

Seven years of trophy hunting cougars with hounds is not a pilot project. Extending the cougar hunting pilot project was a last minute attempt to overturn the wishes of Washington State citizens. Our state overwhelmingly voted to ban the widespread hunting of cougars using hounds in 1996 with passage of I-655. To this day, there is still no evidence to support the use of dogs to hunt cougars as the best method for reducing human-cougar conflicts. Recent studies have actually shown that cougar populations are in decline. The legislature has a responsibility to uphold the citizens' wishes to ban hound hunting and to hold the state accountable for seeking humane methods for managing and co-existing with cougars.
PAWS' position: Oppose
Status: Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law---Effective date June 12, 2008
View HB 2438 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

WA HB 2452: Creating a Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Committee
Establishes a wildlife rehabilitation advisory committee composed of wildlife rehabilitation professionals and the Washington Department of Wildlife (WDFW). This wildlife rehabilitation committee would serve to assist in creating a wildlife rehabilitation funding program, improve information exchange, provide assistance in tracking diseases, and give feedback to WDFW.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2452 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

HB 2836: Protecting Animals from Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Allows a court, when issuing a domestic violence protection order, to order that the perpetrator of domestic violence stay away from, and not threaten or harm, any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by the petitioner, respondent, or their minor children. Depending on the circumstances, a violation of a domestic violence protection order can constitute contempt of court, a gross misdemeanor, or a felony. This bill recognizes the crucial link between violence toward people and animals, and is an important step to helping end the cycle of violence.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2836 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

SB 5106: Animal Emergency Planning
Requires state and local agencies to create plans for service animals and companion animals in the event of a disaster or emergency. Given the recent tragedy in our state---the 2007 winter floods that left thousands of animals in southwestern Washington injured or drowned---this bill takes measures to protect families and their animals. Because Washington State households share their lives with an estimated 3 million animals, this bill is crucial to our state's emergency disaster planning.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View SB 5106 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

HB 2511 and SB 6408: The Healthy Pets Bill (or pet "lemon law")
These companion bills give consumers civil remedies to seek reimbursement if they have purchased sick pets from pet stores or breeders, and requires pet stores and breeders to provide medical history of animals they are selling. Currently there is no recourse in Washington State for people who unknowingly purchased sick pets from a pet dealer. Much like the automobile "lemon law," this bill will provide civil remedies for consumers to seek appropriate and reasonable reimbursement. This bill will not add any extra burden to law enforcement, but gives pet dealers the opportunity to self-regulate.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Both bills did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2511 information and HB 6408 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

HB 2493: Lower Penalties for Hunting Violations
Gives enforcement officers the option to give "well-meaning" hunters, who "unknowingly" violate hunting laws (using an illegal trap, for example), a non-criminal infraction instead of charging them with a crime of unlawful trapping, hounding, or hunting birds or game. Just as it the responsibility for drivers to know the rules when operating an automobile, it should also be the responsibility of hunters to know the dos and don'ts of hunting before going out into the field.
PAWS' position: Oppose
Status: Did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2493 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

HB 2547: Preventing Cruelty to Canines
Preventing cruelty to canines by banning harassing and hunting of coyotes (and all canines) with dogs. Adds to the animal fighting law---prohibits using one canine to control, injure, or kill another canine.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2547 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

HB 2085 and SB 6062: Phasing Out Veal and Pig Gestation Crates by 2014
This bill provides that a person is guilty of restrictive confinement of a calf or pig if the person confines a calf or pig for more than 12 hours during any 24-hour period in a manner that prevents the calf or pig from lying down and fully extending its limbs, or turning around freely. Because farm animals are not currently protected under the Federal Animal Welfare Act, it is essential that Washington State lead the way in making current farming practices more humane.
PAWS' position: Support
Status: Both bills did not pass the 2008 legislative process
View HB 2085 information and SB 6062 information on the Washington State Legislature's website.

Stay informed on the official legislative process:

Bookmark the Washington State Legislature's official website. This site offers great information on:

• Our state's legislative process and session calendars.
• How to read a bill and how to research bill information by tracking current bills, reviewing specific text for bills, and learning how a bill becomes a law.
• Identifying your representatives and legislature e-mail addresses.
• As a citizen, how to effectively participate in the legislature.

Track bills scheduled to be signed on Governor Gregoire's 2008 bill action page.

Bookmark Washington Votes, a nonprofit organization that monitors legislation. With this website you can search for proposed legislation, check your legislator's voting record, and even stay updated by e-mail as bills move through the process.