2006 Legislative Archive

This is the 2005-06 archive. For current bills and their status, view the Legislation page.

New Crime: Unlawful Hunting on Property of Another (HB 1078 / SB 5129)
EcoTerrorism Bill (SB 5314)
Exotic Pet/Dangerous Animal Bill  (HB 1151)
Body-Gripping Trap Repeal Bill  (SB 5319)

Washington Falconers Association members have donated time and money to conservation efforts such as breeding sharptail grouse for release, banding wild raptors, saving wildlife habitat in the Palouse, prairie falcon and goshawk surveys, statewide jackrabbit surveys, donating thousands of dollars for West Nile virus research, and donating to the Archives of American Falconry at the Peregrine Fund.

As a small and not very publicized group, we're vulnerable to legislative "side-effects" like I-713, which effectively banned the BC. We have become much more aware how much we can suffer when we're not specifically included in a bill -- omission does not mean permission!

To keep track of a bill's current official status or to read the actual text of a bill, click here and enter the bill's number. If you don't know the bill's number, click here and search for all bills in Washington.

New Crime Definition Top

Status: Active

Creates a new crime: hunting on the property of another is now a misdemeanor. One would have to enter or remain unlawfully (as defined in RCW 9A.52.010) and hunt for wild animals or wild birds. It seems to focus on big-game animals, but doesn't specify exactly what would happen if a raptor entered or needed to be retrieved from private land.

House: Scheduled for public hearing 1/15 in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM in anticipation of other legislative action.

Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Buck

Senate: First reading 1/11, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Shin

Eco-Terrorism Bill Top

Status: Dead in committee.
Never made it out of Senate's Judiciary committee.

Senate Bill 5314 is an attempt to rein in special interest terrorist groups; these groups have committed more than 600 criminal acts in the United States since 1996, resulting in damages in excess of $43 million. (Including seven arsons in Snohomish county alone.)

This bill provides clear definitions of what is unlawful, the most relevant bit being: "It is unlawful to: (1) deprive an owner of an animal or natural resource from lawfully participating in an activity involving animals or an activity involving natural resources..."

An eco-terrorism offense would then incur additional penalties, including: triple the actual damages, civil penalties of up to $250,000, attorneys' fees and costs, restraining orders, and civil forfeiture.

Senator Val Stevens, R- Arlington sponsored this bill, along with Senators Winsley, Oke, Schmidt, Honeyford, Mulliken, Parlette, Finkbeiner, Deccio, Swecker, Zarelli, Morton, Hewitt, Sheahan, Horn, Rasmussen, Roach, and Benton.

Dangerous Wild Animal Bill (Rulings on exotic pets)  Top

Status: Dead in committee.
Amended bill passed the House on January 18, 2006, amended again in the Senate March 1 and passed the Senate, however, the House refused to accept the Senate's amendments and bill was returned to House Rules Committee on March 8th.

House Bill 1151 lists what animals are considered "potentially dangerous wild animals" and thus illegal to possess. 

The amended bill clearly states that the bill does not apply to native wildlife subject to Title 77 RCW. Falconry is laid out under WAC 232-12-101 through 129 inclusive, under the statutory authority of RCW 77.12.040 and 77.12.010, so it looks like we're clear.

However, section 14 states that "A city or county may adopt an ordinance ... that is more restrictive ... include adding animals to the definition of potentially dangerous wild animals... However, a city or county may not add a particular type of animal to the definition  ... unless the type of animal presents a substantial threat of physical harm to humans."

This measure is supported enthusiastically by both PAWS and the Woodland Park Zoo; however, both non-profit rehabilitators and zoos are specifically exempted from it.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Lantz, Jarrett, Miloscia, Delvin, Moeller, Wallace, G. Simpson, Upthegrove

Status: Dead in committee.
Passed Senate February 22, but never made it out of the House Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks committee.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Oke, Roach, Rasmussen, Morton