S-3828.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6712

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senators Morton, Hewitt, Hochstatter, Parlette, Honeyford and Roach

Read first time 01/28/2002.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & International Trade.

Developing procedures to compensate livestock owners for damage caused by wildlife.

    AN ACT Relating to livestock damage; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The department must develop procedures to compensate livestock owners for damage to livestock in excess of one hundred dollars caused by wildlife.  Compensation must be based on the fair market value of the livestock at slaughter.

    (2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

    (a) "Livestock" means cattle, goats, horses, and sheep.

    (b) "Wildlife" means bears, bobcats, cougars, and coyotes.

    (3) Nothing in this section may be construed to grant the department rule-making authority.

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