Z-0045.1

SENATE BILL 5306

State of Washington
68th Legislature
2023 Regular Session
BySenators Short, Van De Wege, Nobles, and Stanford; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife
Read first time 01/12/23.Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.
AN ACT Relating to authorizing the department of fish and wildlife to establish disease interdiction and control check stations; and adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. Fish, wildlife, shellfish, and seaweed are property of the state and are a valuable resource. There are infectious diseases and infestations that can damage, threaten, and endanger fish, wildlife, shellfish, and seaweed resources. The department is authorized to take reasonable, preventative measures to protect Washington's fish, wildlife, shellfish, and seaweed species from infectious diseases and infestations.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. (1) The department is authorized to establish disease interdiction and control check stations.
(2) The check stations may be signed from roadsides, including state highways and interstates.
(3) Signage must indicate which diseases or infestations are being investigated, and what fish, wildlife, shellfish, and seaweed are being checked.
(4) The signage must be placed in coordination with the department of transportation.
(5) The check stations must be operated in a safe manner.
(6) A person who encounters a disease interdiction and control check station while transporting fish, wildlife, shellfish, or seaweed in their possession is requested to stop at the check station and allow the fish, wildlife, shellfish, or seaweed in their possession to be inspected and sampled for the diseases or infestations.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 77 RCW.
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