HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1144

                    As Amended by Senate

Title:  An act relating to veterinary practice.

Brief Description:  Amending the veterinary practice act to include implanting of electronic identification devices.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, Backlund, Morris, Johnson, Campbell, Cooke, Skinner, Chandler, Casada, Schoesler, Boldt, Mulliken, Huff, Mitchell, Thompson, Foreman, Robertson, Buck, Clements, Smith, Delvin, Carrell, Mielke and Sheahan).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/9/95, 2/10/95 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/22/95, 97-0.

Senate Amended.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Hymes, Vice Chairman; Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Crouse; Kessler; Morris; Sherstad and Skinner.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Background:  The practice of veterinary medicine is licensed by the Department of Health, and no person may practice veterinary medicine without being licensed as a veterinarian.

The practice of veterinary medicine includes the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries of animals, including the prescription and administration of drugs and the performance of operations.

However, implanting electronic devices for the purposes of identification is not regulated nor included within the scope of practice of veterinary medicine.

Summary of Bill:  The implanting of an electronic device for the purpose of establishing the positive identification of animals is included within the scope of practice of veterinary medicine and only licensed veterinarians may implant these devices unless otherwise provided by law.  Humane Societies and animal control organizations are also authorized to implant the devices.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

The implanting of identification devices by public fish and wildlife agencies is exempted from the veterinary licensure requirements.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The practice of veterinary medicine should include this new technology for identifying animals.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Greg Hanon and Dr. Charles Root, Washington State Veterinary Medicine Association (pro); and Ed Manary, Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Votes on Final Passage:

Yeas 97; Excused 1

Excused:  Dellwo