| Passed by the Senate March 11, 2009 YEAS 43 BRAD OWEN ________________________________________ President of the Senate Passed by the House April 14, 2009 YEAS 84 FRANK CHOPP ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives | I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SENATE BILL 5071 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth. THOMAS HOEMANN ________________________________________ Secretary | |
| Approved May 12, 2009, 3:00 p.m. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington | May 13, 2009 Secretary of State State of Washington |
| State of Washington | 61st Legislature | 2009 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/12/09. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.
AN ACT Relating to the state endemic mammal; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that the Olympic
marmot, the only endemic mammal in Washington state, should be
designated as the state endemic mammal. The Olympic marmot inhabits
the Olympic Peninsula in the western section of the state of
Washington. Olympic marmots hibernate from September to May. During
the morning and afternoon on summer days they feed and spend time
sunbathing on rocks. In the evening, they return to their burrow.
Olympic marmots are relatively easy to see during the summer months
along Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. Olympic marmots
eat herbs, grasses, and flowers. They prefer plants that are soft and
easy to digest. They may also eat fruits, legumes, and insects.
Olympic marmots are highly social and may live in groups of over
a dozen animals. Gregarious bonds are made between individuals in a
family. Olympic marmots identify each other by touching noses and
smelling cheeks.
The legislature intends to promote awareness of the Olympic marmot
by designating the Olympic marmot as the official endemic mammal of the
state of Washington.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 1.20 RCW
to read as follows:
The Olympic marmot, Marmota olympus, is hereby designated as the
official endemic mammal of the state of Washington.