SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1144

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, April 1, 2003

Title: An act relating to the use of controlled substances by the department of fish and wildlife.

Brief Description: Allowing the department of fish and wildlife to use approved controlled substances for chemical capture programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Sump, Cooper, Armstrong, Pearson, McDermott and Chase; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 3/31/03, 4/1/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Sheahan, Vice Chair; Doumit, Esser, Jacobsen, Morton, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: When the Department of Fish and Wildlife needs to immobilize animals for purposes of relocation or research, it has found the immobilization agent ketamine to be the safest and most effective for large animals like bear, mountain lion, and deer. Federal legislation recently made ketamine a Schedule III controlled substance. The state Uniform Controlled Substances Act, which is administered by the Department of Health and the Board of Pharmacy, does not allow animal control agencies to use Schedule III controlled substances.

Summary of Amended Bill: The Department of Health is authorized to adopt rules for issuing a limited registration to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for use of controlled substances approved for chemical capture programs. The Board of Pharmacy must add or remove controlled substances approved for use in chemical capture programs by rule. The Department of Fish and Wildlife must not allow persons to administer controlled substances without proper knowledge and training. The Board of Pharmacy must suspend or revoke a registration, if it determines that a person administering controlled substances has not demonstrated adequate knowledge.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: Three provisions are made mandatory: that the Department of Fish and Wildlife require adequate knowledge to administer controlled substances, that the Board of Pharmacy list controlled substances for use in chemical capture programs by rule, and that the board suspend registration, if controlled substances are used without adequate knowledge.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Department of Fish and Wildlife needs to be able to use controlled substances to handle large animals. Veterinarians support allowing department personnel who are not veterinarians to administer these substances.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Haigh, prime sponsor (pro); Steve Pozzanghera, WDFW (pro).