BILL REQ. #:  H-1408.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/19/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to hunting-related enforcement actions involving tribal members; and adding a new section to chapter 77.15 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.15 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Upon presentation of a tribal identification card by a member of a federally recognized tribe to a fish and wildlife officer or ex officio fish and wildlife officer, the officer must immediately refer any inspection, investigation, or other enforcement action related to the hunting activity of the tribal member to the enforcement authority of the tribe, if the activity occurred on any open and unclaimed lands where the tribe has a treaty or other federally recognized right to hunt.
     (2) The requirements under subsection (1) of this section do not abrogate or otherwise affect the terms of any intergovernmental, mutual law enforcement assistance, or other cooperative agreement entered into by the member's tribe and the department or local law enforcement agency.
     (3) To maximize efficiency and mutual benefit in hunting enforcement, cooperative management and mutual law enforcement assistance agreements agreed to by tribes and the department or local law enforcement agency are hereby considered legally binding, and encouraged, on open and unclaimed lands where a tribe has a treaty or other federally recognized right to hunt.