Brief Description: Establishing a wildlife rehabilitation program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Jacobsen, Prentice, Fairley, Kline, Marr, Kohl-Welles, Tom, Murray, Keiser and Rasmussen).

Hearing Date: 3/26/07

Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).

Background:

The Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Department, and Wildlife Rehabilitation

The Fish and Wildlife Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) are charged with preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing the wildlife and food fish, game fish, and shellfish in state waters and offshore waters. The Department has divided the state into six regions:
(1) Eastern Washington; (2) North Central Washington; (3) South Central Washington; (4) North Puget Sound; (5) Southwest Washington; and (6) Coastal Washington.

Department administrative rules define:

• "Wildlife rehabilitation" as "the care and treatment of injured, diseased, oiled, or abandoned wildlife including but not limited to capture, transporting, veterinary treatment, feeding, housing, exercise therapy, and any other treatment or training necessary for release back to the wild."
• A "wildlife rehabilitator" as "a person who conducts wildlife rehabilitation or someone who conducts wildlife rehabilitation under the supervision of a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit holder." It is unlawful for any person to possess wildlife for the purpose of rehabilitation unless they have a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit issued by the Department or they are working under the supervision of a person who has a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit. Some wildlife rehabilitators are independent businesspeople, and some work under the auspices of centers.
• A "wildlife rehabilitation permit" as "a permit issued by the director or designee that authorizes a person or someone under the supervision of a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit holder, to conduct wildlife rehabilitation".

The Department is authorized to issue and condition wildlife rehabilitation permits. The permit is valid as long as the information in it remains current and the holder continues to meet the permit conditions and to follow the provisions of the rule. Permits may be revoked. A permit applicant must meet the requirements in the rule pertaining to experience, testing, and facility inspection, as well as required reporting and documentation.

The rule also includes requirements that must be met by rehabilitation permit holders for department notifications, wildlife handling, release, disposal, facility conditions and inspections. Specific conditions for facilities involved in rehabilitation of oiled birds are detailed.

Personalized License Plate Fees

Applicants for personalized license plates must pay an initial purchase fee of $40, in addition to regular fees and taxes. Holders of personalized plates must pay an annual renewal fee of $30, in addition to regular fees and taxes. Of these amounts, $30 of the initial purchase fee and $20 of the renewal fee is deposited to the State Wildlife Fund "to be used for the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and enhancement of nongame species of wildlife". The remaining $10 from the initial and renewal fees is deposited to the State Wildlife Fund to be "used for the management of resources associated with the nonconsumptive use of wildlife".

Summary of Bill:

Wildlife Rehabilitation Program and Services Contracts

The Department Director (Director) must establish a Wildlife Rehabilitation Program to help support the work of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in capturing, testing for disease and caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

The Director must contract for wildlife rehabilitation services for a two year term with up to four licensed wildlife rehabilitators in each of the Department's six administrative regions. The Department must give priority to applications that provide for the rehabilitation of endangered or threatened species. Applicants may submit one request every two years. Applicants must:

• reside in the region for which they apply;
• be properly licensed in wildlife rehabilitation under state and federal law;
• furnish information concerning their identity, including fingerprints for submission

   to the Washington State Patrol for a national criminal background check; and,

• pay for the cost of the criminal background check.

An applicant whose background check reveals a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction will be ineligible to receive funding.

A Contractor must submit to the Department detailed quarterly reports accounting for expenditure of state funds. The Department may require the contractor's rehabilitation facility to have a compliance inspection. Permitted expenditures as they specifically relate to wildlife rehabilitation include:

• reimbursement for diagnostic and lab support services;
• purchase and maintenance of proper restraints and equipment;
• reimbursement of contracted veterinary services;
• reimbursement of costs of food, medication and other consumables; and,
• reimbursement of cost of continuing education.

Funds may not be used to rehabilitate nonnative species or nuisance animals, which include but are not limited to: Eastern gray squirrels; opossum; raccoons; striped and spotted skunks; Eastern cottontail and domestic rabbits; European starlings; and house sparrows.

Wildlife Rehabilitation License Renewals

The Department is required to develop a process for renewing wildlife rehabilitation licenses. All licenses issued by the Department before January 1, 2006 must be renewed by January 1, 2010.
   
Personalized License Plate Fee Increase

Effective January 1, 2008, an additional $2 fee is charged for applications and renewals of personalized license plates, with the receipts deposited into the Wildlife Rehabilitation Account created in this act. Expenditures may be made after appropriation only to support the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program created in this act.

Rule-making

The Department may adopt rules as necessary to carry out sections 4 and 5.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available on original bill.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.