SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6221
As of February 2, 2024
Title: An act relating to the Washington national primate research center at the University of Washington.
Brief Description: Concerning the Washington national primate research center at the University of Washington.
Sponsors: Senators Salomon, Stanford, Liias, Kuderer and Nobles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/24/24, 1/31/24 [DPS-WM].
Ways & Means: 2/03/24.
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Requires the Washington National Primate Research Center to annually publish information about the nonhuman primates in its care and specifies what information must be included.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6221 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Nobles, Chair; Hansen, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Member; Hawkins and Randall.
Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Michele Alishahi (786-7433)
Background:

The Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) is one of seven U.S. centers in the National Primate Research Center Program established by Congress in 1959. The WaNPRC conducts research on nonhuman primates that includes the neurobiological sciences, AIDS-related research, reproductive and developmental sciences, genomics, immunogenetics, nonhuman primate models for human diseases, international outreach and conservation, and the psychological well-being needs of its colonies.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

The WaNPRC within the University of Washington must annually publish in a publicly accessible place on the website the following information:

  • the number of nonhuman primates that were used in:
    1. research, breeding, born, purchased, or sold;
    2. injured or died in a manner that resulted in an animal welfare citation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA);
    3. killed or died as part of research; and
    4. other conditions as detailed in the bill; and
  • links to descriptions of the research using nonhuman primates at the center;
  • total amount of money awarded to the research center during the prior fiscal year;
  • inspection reports from the USDA;
  • conservation efforts; and
  • documentation of accreditation.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
  • Modifies the reporting requirements related to conservation efforts to no longer include species who are threatened or endangered.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute (Higher Education & Workforce Development):

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: We've seen a lack of transparency. This bill will help build trust and accountability while maintaining some accountability. It was clear that unintended infections were disrupting the colony and having significant impacts on the primates physical and mental health. The primate research community is knee deep in the wildlife trade of endangered populations. In October of 2022 the King county superior court awarded PETA over half million in damages for failure to disclose public documents. The withheld documents included things such as animal research deaths.

 
OTHER: The WaNPRC supports transparency. They already post several of the requirements provided for in the bill. We would like to see this bill align with the language in Oregon. Scientific research with primates is highly regulated federally.
Persons Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Senator Jesse Salomon, Prime Sponsor; Rachel Bjork; Hannah Thompson-Garner, Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN); Lisa Jones-Engel, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; Michele Earl-Hubbard; Gregory Engel.
OTHER: Morgan Hickel, University of Washington.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): No one.