Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee |
HB 1917
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 the use of certain animal traps by airport operators.
Sponsors: Representatives Peterson and Dent.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/19
Staff: Rebecca Lewis (786-7339).
Background:
Use of Body-Gripping Animal Traps.
Initiative Measure No. 713 (I-713), passed in 2000, made it a gross misdemeanor to use any body-gripping trap to capture any mammal, or to use a leghold trap, neck snare, or other body-gripping trap to capture a mammal for recreation or commerce. The Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife may grant permits to use certain traps in limited circumstances including protection of public health and safety, protection of threatened or endangered species, and wildlife research.
Airport Operators.
An airport operator is defined in statute as any municipality, including a city, town, airport district, or port district of the state, or state agency that owns or operates an airport.
Summary of Bill:
A new exemption from the prohibition on body-gripping animal traps is added to allow airport operators, under a special permit from the Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Director), to trap an animal to protect human and aviation security. The airport operator must obtain a permit from the Director every five years, and must annually report the previous year's trapping activity to the Director. Airport operators are still subject to the prohibition on selling, trading, or exchanging fur of any mammal.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.