2009 Washington State Legislative Session

Thanks to the actions of many caring citizens who contacted their representatives, the legislature adjourned on April 26 with some exciting protections for animals! Below is a list of animal-related bills that passed, as well as the bills PAWS followed and their final status.

These bills were signed into Law by Governor Gregoire on April 30!

ESSB 5651 Provides humane requirements for large-scale breeding operations
PAWS' position: Support
Also known as the puppy mill bill, limits the number of adult dogs with intact sexual organs one person can possess to 50 and includes mandatory care standards to anyone who has custody of more than 10 intact adult dogs. Standards include access to clean food and water, exercise, proper housing, basic veterinary care, and protection from extreme weather conditions.

SSB 5402 Protects animals from convicted animal abusers
PAWS' position: Support
Also known as Seraphina's bill (after a rescued dog who survived severe neglect by her guardian), prohibits people convicted of felony animal cruelty or repeated animal cruelty violations at any level from owning animals in the future.

These bills did not make it through the legislative process in 2009:

HB 1406 & SB 5329 Spay/neuter assistance for low-Income and feral/free roaming cats
PAWS' position: Support
Provides funds for over 70,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year for cats and dogs of low-income residents and for feral and free-roaming cats in our state. Establishes a fee on pet food to fund the program. To the extent funds are available, this bill will also assist animal organizations with the cost of spay/neuter surgeries for cats and dogs. This bill will not make spay/neuter mandatory, it will not take money out of the limited general fund, nor will it propose any new taxes! Visit www.savewashingtonpets.org for more information.

HB 1885 Bans intentional feeding of certain wildlife by the public
PAWS' position: Support
Prohibits people from intentionally feeding, attempting to feed, or attracting bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, deer, elk and raccoons. This bill is a positive step toward reducing human-wildlife conflicts. It protects wildlife from becoming habituated to humans as well as protects people from serious health and safety risks associated with coming into contact with wildlife.

HB 1115 & SB 5389 Repeals former trapping ban and reinstates weak trapping laws
PAWS' position: Oppose
Significantly expands the sale and trade of raw fur of wild animals and takes away protections against the use of body-gripping traps on targeted wildlife, non-targeted wildlife and pets. It severely weakens Initiative 713, which voters overwhelmingly approved to ban the use of cruel body-gripping traps in 2000.

ESB 5200 Repeals an act relating to marauding dogs
PAWS' position: Support
Repeals provisions relating to the duty of an owner to kill his or her dog within 48 hours of being notified that the dog killed a domestic animal. Also repeals provisions requiring a sheriff to kill any dog found running at large without a metal identification tag between the months of August and March.

SB 5337 Directs emergency planning for animals during a major disaster
PAWS' position: Support
Requires Washington State military department's emergency management division, in cooperation with county and local governments, to prepare an animal emergency plan for local jurisdictions. The plan should provide for the evacuation, transportation, and temporary sheltering of pets and service animals during a major disaster or an emergency.

Stay informed:

Bookmark the Washington State Legislature's official website so that you can:

Bookmark Washington Votes, a nonprofit organization that monitors legislation. Use this site to search for proposed legislation, check your legislator's voting record, and receive e-mail updates as bills move through the process.

Follow bills scheduled to be signed into law on Governor Gregoire's 2009 bill action page.

• Sign up for PAWS' Actionline e-newsletter to receive updates on action needed to ensure protection for animals in our state.
• Visit ASPCA lobbying 101 to read more about state and federal legislative processes.
• Check out the National Institute for Animal Advocacy and order the book "Get Political for Animals," which outlines how you can become politically effective for animals.
• Go to HSUS' Lobbying 101 to learn basics on grassroots lobbying.
• If you are a nonprofit 501c3, check out this info on nonprofit lobbying and advocacy.