Concerning compensation in frontier counties for deer and elk damage.

 S-0624.2

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5165

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Short, Chapman, Dozier, Wagoner, and Warnick)

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/25.

AN ACT Relating to compensation in frontier one counties for deer and elk damage; and amending RCW 77.36.100 .

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

Sec. 1. RCW 77.36.100 and 2024 c 264 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) Except as limited by RCW 77.36.070 , 77.36.080 , 77.36.170 , and 77.36.180 , the department shall offer to distribute money appropriated to pay claims to the owner of commercial crops for damage caused by wild deer or elk or to the owners of livestock that has been killed by bears, wolves, or cougars, or injured by bears, wolves, or cougars to such a degree that the market value of the livestock has been diminished. Payments for claims for damage to livestock are not subject to the limitations of RCW 77.36.070 and 77.36.080 , but may not, except as provided in RCW 77.36.170 and 77.36.180 , exceed the total amount specifically appropriated therefor.