H-0340.2  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1282

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Representatives Fuhrman, Mastin, Buck, Goldsmith, Koster, Padden, Mulliken, Lambert, Crouse, Thompson, Basich, Hargrove, Sheldon, McMahan, Pelesky, Sheahan, Boldt and Elliot

Read first time 01/19/95.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

Authorizing landowners to kill coyotes and Columbian ground squirrels.

    AN ACT Relating to certain animals posing a danger to livestock or crops; adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that coyotes pose a danger to livestock and that Columbian ground squirrels destroy alfalfa, grain, and other agricultural crops.  While recognizing that the department of fish and wildlife has a procedure for removal of wild animals which damage crops or domestic animals, the legislature finds that a more expedient means of removal is needed for coyotes and Columbian ground squirrels.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:

    A landowner, a landowner's lessee, and guests of the landowner or lessee may kill coyotes (Canis latrans) and Columbian ground squirrels (Citellus columbianus) on the landowner's property without the license required by RCW 77.32.010 and without going through the procedure established in RCW 77.12.265.

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