Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 1131

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking.

Sponsors: Representatives Pettigrew, Buys, Fitzgibbon, Appleton, Gregerson, S. Hunt, Stanford, Walkinshaw, Muri and Goodman.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Makes unlawful the sale, purchase, trade, traffic, barter, or distribution of any ivory article or rhinoceros horn except, for in four circumstances, all of which require a license that the director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife may issue.

Hearing Date: 1/20/15, 1/27/15

Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).

Background:

The Fish and Wildlife Code (Title 77) prohibits certain conduct related to possessing, selling, or otherwise transferring fish and wildlife. For example, the Fish and Wildlife Code prohibits conduct like:

Fish and Wildlife Code offenses are classified as infractions, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, class C felonies, and class B felonies.

Summary of Bill:

A new Fish and Wildlife Code (Title 77) offense is created that makes unlawful the sale, purchase, trade, traffic, barter, or distribution of any ivory article or rhinoceros horn, except with a license issued by the director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The director of the WDFW may issue licenses that allow a person to transfer ivory articles or rhinoceros horns in the following limited circumstances when the ivory article or rhinoceros horn is:

The offense is punishable as a class C felony if the ivory has a wholesale value of less than $250 and as a class B felony if the ivory has a wholesale value of $250 or more.

The WDFW must make available to the public information about the new prohibition on transferring ivory articles and rhinoceros horns and the exceptions to the prohibition.

In addition, "shellfish" is added to a list in the existing crime of Unlawful Trafficking in Fish, Shellfish, or Wildlife in the second degree.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.