Title: An act relating to wildlife rehabilitation.

Brief Description: Creating a wildlife rehabilitation advisory committee.

Sponsors: House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Campbell, Rolfes, Seaquist, Barlow, McCoy, Upthegrove, Hunt, Chase, Lantz, McIntire, Haigh and Nelson).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/19/08, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/27/08, 2/28/08 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Rockefeller, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: Wildlife rehabilitation is a profession that is licensed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). It is currently unlawful for a person to possess wildlife for the purpose of rehabilitation unless that person has a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit, or is working under the supervision of a person with a valid permit.

In 2007 the Legislature directed the DFW to establish a wildlife rehabilitation program (program). The stated purpose of the program is to support the role that licensed wildlife rehabilitators play protecting the public from sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. Additionally, the 2007 Legislature directed DFW to develop a process for renewing wildlife rehabilitation licenses.

Under the program, DFW must contract for wildlife rehabilitation services in each of its six administrative regions. The program may pay for such activities as: diagnostic and lab support services; purchase and maintenance of equipment used to capture and handle wildlife; veterinary services; food and medication; and continuing education. The program must prioritize the rehabilitation of endangered species, and may not fund the rehabilitation of nonnative species or nuisance animals.

Two dollars from each personalized license plate application and renewal is used to fund wildlife rehabilitation program activities.

Summary of Bill: DFW must establish and maintain a wildlife rehabilitation advisory committee (committee). The purposes of the committee include: facilitating communication and partnership between DFW and wildlife rehabilitation facilities; improving the exchange of information between DFW and wildlife rehabilitation facilities; developing recommendations on how wildlife rehabilitators can help track wildlife disease; and developing recommendations on implementation of the program.

DFW must consider any recommendations from the committee regarding program implementation, wildlife rehabilitation license renewal processing, and the rehabilitation of wildlife affected by oil spills.

Composition of the committee must include appropriate DFW employees and private individuals engaged in the rehabilitation of wildlife. Guidance is provided to DFW regarding the representation of wildlife rehabilitation professionals on the committee.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill: PRO: The wildlife rehabilitation community and the Department of Fish and Wildlife can work better together and improve their partnership. Wildlife rehabilitators are licensed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and often the federal government. Demand for wildlife rehabilitation services has grown in recent years. Wildlife rehabilitators are on the front line of endangered species protection and early detection of wildlife disease.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Kol Medina, West Sound Wildlife Shelter.