"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) A joint select committee on regulation of private ownership of exotic wild animals is established. The joint select committee shall consist of the following members:
     (i) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
     (ii) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
     (b) The four appointed members shall involve interested parties as appropriate.
     (2) The committee shall conduct a study concerning the regulation of the private ownership of exotic wild animals. The study shall include, but not be limited to:
     (a) Identifying animals that may be considered dangerous as pets and the criteria used to identify an animal as one that may be considered dangerous as a pet;
     (b) Identifying the potential harm an exotic wild animal may cause if privately owned, and how the risk of such harm may affect an owner's ability to qualify for and receive insurance;
     (c) Identifying whether the private ownership of exotic wild animals should be regulated or banned, and how a state law regulating or banning the private ownership of exotic wild animals may affect other state and local laws regulating or banning the private ownership of such animals;
     (d) Identifying laws in other states that regulate or ban the private ownership of exotic wild animals, and whether such laws have been effective in reducing the injuries or damages that can be caused by the private ownership of exotic wild animals; and
     (e) Identifying the ways in which local jurisdictions and public agencies may act to protect the public against possible health and safety threats of owning exotic wild animals.
     (3)(a) The committee shall use legislative facilities, and staff support shall be provided by senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (b) Legislative members of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (4) The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 15, 2006.
     (5) This section expires July 1, 2007."