The 2024 Session was short, and all that remains is the approval (or veto) of Governor Inslee. We’ll keep you posted on that news. The following bills made it through the legislative process:
HB 1961 is an important step in increasing penalties for defendants convicted of animal cruelty and neglect. This bill changes animal cruelty sentencing from an unranked crime in the State’s Sentencing Guidelines to a ranked crime, giving judges more power to fashion appropriate jail time and other penalties.
HB 1097 prohibits cosmetics tested on animals from being sold in Washington. There are many exceptions, however. One exception allows cosmetics manufactured in foreign countries and tested on animals there to be sold here.
HB 1153 outlaws octopus farming in the State. Commercial aquaculture is defined as “private sector cultured aquatic products” which does not cover octopi.
One other bill that impacts animals is HB 1012, a proposal that helps counties plan for and create extreme weather shelters for people and their pets. An examination of HB 1012 is already posted.
Governor Inslee has 5 days to sign bills that are delivered to him more than 5 days before the end of the session (March 7th). If the bills are delivered after March 7th, he has 20 days to sign them. The Governor can and does veto or partially veto bills, so handing a bill to him for signature does not guarantee passage. Bills become law 90 days after March 7th.
