H-3509.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2797

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Cairnes, Mitchell, Woods, Sehlin, Reardon, Schindler, Pearson, Simpson, Hunt, Fisher, Sommers, Tokuda, Ericksen, Barlean, Lantz, Rockefeller, McIntire, Morell, Campbell, Jarrett, Sullivan, Dunshee, Gombosky, Anderson, Jackley, Haigh, Lysen and Van Luven

Read first time 01/29/2002.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Declaring the orca whale to be the state mammal.

    AN ACT Relating to establishing the orca whale as the state mammal; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 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 many people visit Washington state to watch orca whales, the orca whale is a significant symbol for the Native American culture, there are pods of orca whales that migrate annually through Puget Sound, and the orca whale is easily recognizable because of its distinct markings.  The legislature intends to promote orca whale awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat by designating the orca whale as the official mammal of the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 1.20 RCW to read as follows:

    The orca whale, orcinus orca, is hereby designated as the official mammal of the state of Washington.

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