BILL REQ. #:  S-2311.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to a wildlife rehabilitation program; amending RCW 46.16.606; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The paramount duty of the department of fish and wildlife is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate all wildlife species. The wildlife of Washington belongs to the citizens of this state and is a valuable resource that must be protected and cared for in order to preserve this resource for Washington's future. As Washington's population continues to expand and more land that was once wildlife habitat is developed for homes and businesses, injury to and human interactions with wildlife is on the rise. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators often work closely with local law enforcement, animal control officers, wildlife enforcement officers, and wildlife biologists at the state and federal levels to aid in the safe capture, testing for disease, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and release of wildlife. The state recognizes the critical role licensed wildlife rehabilitators play in capturing and caring for the sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife of Washington state.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.16.606 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the fees imposed in RCW 46.16.585 for application and renewal of personalized license plates an additional fee of ((ten)) twelve dollars shall be charged. ((The revenue)) Ten dollars from the additional fee shall be deposited in the state wildlife ((fund)) account and used for the management of resources associated with the nonconsumptive use of wildlife. Two dollars from the additional fee shall be deposited into the wildlife rehabilitation account created under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     The wildlife rehabilitation account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from moneys directed to the account from RCW 46.16.606 must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the support of the wildlife rehabilitation program created under section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The director shall establish a wildlife rehabilitation program to help support the critical role licensed wildlife rehabilitators play in protecting the public by capturing, testing for disease, and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in Washington state. The director shall contract for wildlife rehabilitation services with up to four people in each of the department's six administrative regions. Applicants may submit only one request every two years and must reside in the administrative region for which they have applied. The contracts must be for a term of two years.
     (2) In order to receive funding, the wildlife rehabilitator must: (a) Be properly licensed in wildlife rehabilitation under state and federal law; and (b) furnish information concerning his or her identity, including fingerprints for submission to the Washington state patrol to include a national criminal background check. The applicant must pay for the cost of the criminal background check. If the background check reveals that the applicant has been convicted of a felony or gross misdemeanor, the applicant is ineligible to receive funding.
     (3) The department must require that contractors submit detailed reports accounting for all expenditures of state funds. The reports must be submitted to the department on a quarterly basis. The department may require the contractor to submit to an inspection of the rehabilitation facility to ensure compliance with department rules governing wildlife rehabilitation. Expenditures that are permitted under this program as they specifically relate to wildlife rehabilitation include: (a) Reimbursement for diagnostic and lab support services; (b) purchase and maintenance of proper restraints and equipment used in the capture, transportation, temporary housing, and release of wildlife; (c) reimbursement of contracted veterinary services; (d) reimbursement of the cost of food, medication, and other consumables; and (e) reimbursement of the cost of continuing education. The department shall give priority to applications submitted that provide for the rehabilitation of endangered or threatened species. Funds may not be used to rehabilitate either nonnative species or nuisance animals, or both, including, but not limited to the following: Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis); opossum (Didelphis virginiana); raccoons (Procyon lotor); striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius); Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus); domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); European starling (Sturnus vulgaris); and house sparrow (Passer domesticus).
     (4) The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
     (5) The wildlife rehabilitation program must include a subprogram to provide compensation to hound handlers when contracting with hound handlers for their services. Compensation must include loss, destruction, or damage to personal property during the course of locating problem wildlife.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
     The department must develop a process for renewing wildlife rehabilitation licenses. All wildlife rehabilitation licenses issued by the department prior to January 1, 2006, must be renewed by January 1, 2010. The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.