WA State Bills to Support by Feb. 7
February 7 is the last day to pass bills out of committee in this short legislative session. Let’s try to get these moving. Please contact your legislators about the bills below, using this handy link that locates them using your street and ZIP code. Some of these bills have state House (HB) and Senate (SB) versions, so please contact your representatives in both places.
HB 2317/SB 6300: Strengthens our state’s animal cruelty laws in a number of areas: adds restrictions to prevent people convicted of animal cruelty from residing with, possessing, or caring for animals; removes the financial hardship defense that can be used under current law to avoid prosecution for abuse of animals; clarifies provisions of the law and removes outdated provisions of the law.
HB 2344/SB 6221: Prohibits pet stores from selling dogs and cats, but allows them to partner with reputable animal rescue groups and animal shelters.
SB 6151: Provides greater authority for emergency responders, and creates a new opportunity for any person, to rescue animals from motor vehicles (hot cars, etc.) while protecting those entering vehicles from criminal and civil liability if specific conditions are met.
