S-4326.3  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6279

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Rasmussen)

Read first time 02/01/2000.

Creating a task force to study regulation of owning and breeding exotic pets.

    AN ACT Relating to exotic pets; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) The legislature finds that many people own and raise exotic pets in the state of Washington.  The legislature further finds that there are many issues surrounding exotic pets including but not limited to the educational value of diverse species, health and safety concerns, and environmental issues.  The legislature further finds that legislation has been enacted in other states regulating private citizens' possession of exotic pets.  Since legislation in other states may not fit the needs of Washington's citizens, the legislature finds that a study about the issues of owning and breeding exotic pets will help determine the best public policy in Washington, balancing the best interests of all of the citizens.

    (2) The department of agriculture shall appoint a task force to study the issue of regulating exotic pets in the state of Washington.  The task force shall include but not be limited to representatives of the department of agriculture, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of health, and local government; owners and breeders of exotic pets; pet stores; veterinarians; zoologists; zoo veterinarians; animal control agencies; humane societies; and interested citizens.  The task force shall look at issues surrounding exotic pets including but not limited to:  The definition of exotic pets, the safety and health of people, domestic animals and wildlife, the protection of agriculture, the cost of regulating exotic pets, and the issue of state-wide uniformity versus local control.  By December 1, 2001, the task force shall submit its recommendations, including any recommended statutory or rule changes, to the committees in the senate and the house of representatives having jurisdiction over agricultural issues.

    (3) The following shall not be included in the study required in this section:  Llamas and alpacas; ratites including ostriches and emu; American bison reared in captivity; and species of animals that have been designated by rule as deleterious exotic wildlife by the department of fish and wildlife.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  This act expires December 1, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the department of agriculture for the purposes of this act.

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