SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2846

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Parks, Fish & Wildlife, February 24, 2004

Title: An act relating to the unlawful use of a hook.

Brief Description: Creating the crime of unlawful use of a hook.

Sponsors: House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Sump, Cooper, Romero, Buck, Pearson, Holmquist, Jarrett, Wood and Woods).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Parks, Fish & Wildlife: 2/24/04 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PARKS, FISH & WILDLIFE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

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

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background: The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Code contains a number of unlawful acts that relate to hunting, fishing, and other wildlife related activities, outlining the elements of numerous criminal infractions. The penalties for violating these regulations range from civil natural resources infractions, to misdemeanors, to felonies. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is authorized to enforce the civil and criminal sanctions that appear in the code as well as other laws.

Summary of Amended Bill: It is a class C felony to intentionally use a hook in a way that could pierce the flesh or mouth of a bird or mammal.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The animal cruelty statute is amended rather than the wildlife code, and the language in the cruelty statute is clarified so that there is a distinction between "animals" and "birds and mammals." The hooking violation only affects birds and mammals.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The striking amendment is supported by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and it is appropriate that the language is in the animal cruelty statutes and not the wildlife code.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Capt. Bill Hebner, Department of Fish and Wildlife.