H-0263.3
HOUSE BILL 1311
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Engell, Dye, Rude, Waters, Abell, Schmick, and Springer
Read first time 01/15/25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to the implementation of the recommendations of the department of fish and wildlife regarding the gray wolf; amending RCW 77.12.020 ; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the wolf population has grown steadily for 14 consecutive years since the first pack was confirmed in 2008. The northeast and southeast Washington habitat has mostly been occupied by wolves and as such, they are increasing their presence in the north and central Cascades and making an appearance in the south Cascades. State law currently requires a species to be likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in order for the regulatory status of "threatened" to apply. The legislature finds that this definition does not fit the situation of the wolves at the effective date of this section. The legislature finds that "sensitive" species designation is the more appropriate regulatory status for wolves. The legislature finds that the "sensitive" status will protect wolves from unlawful take and harassment as well as preclude hunting because regulatory classification as a "sensitive" species requires cooperative management and removal of threats. The legislature also finds that this status must be reviewed in two years from the effective date of this section.
Sec. 2. RCW 77.12.020 and 2014 c 202 s 302 are each amended to read as follows: