S‑0647.1   _____________________________________________

SENATE BILL 5379

           _____________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Honeyford, Patterson, Hale, Hewitt, Parlette, Swecker, Winsley, Finkbeiner and Rasmussen

Read first time 01/22/2001.  Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.

_1      AN ACT Relating to the official animal of the state of

_2  Washington; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; and creating

_3  a new section.

_4  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

_5      NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature recognizes that the

_6  cougar, Puma concolor, also known as the mountain lion, is the

_7  largest cat in Washington and the second largest in North

_8  America.  The state of Washington has designated an official state

_9  tree, grass, flower, fruit, bird, fossil, fish, insect, song, folk

10  song, and dance, but not an official state animal.  The cougar is an

11  integral part of the Pacific Northwest, prowling the forests and

12  mountains of the north Cascades.  Children of our state are keenly

13  aware of the importance of the cougar as a symbol of power,

14  beauty, and mystery.  The legislature finds that the cougar is a

15  state treasure, and deserving of recognition as the official state

16  animal.

17 

                               p. 1                       SB 5379

_1      NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 1.20 RCW

_2  to read as follows:

_3      The cougar, Puma concolor, is designated as the official animal

_4  of the state of Washington.

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SB 5379                        p. 2