Bill > HB1311

This bill addresses the management and protection of gray wolves in Washington state by implementing recommendations from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill finds that the wolf population has grown steadily for 14 consecutive years since 2008, expanding across various regions of the state, and determines that the current "threatened" species designation is no longer appropriate. Instead, the bill proposes changing the wolves' status to "sensitive," which would protect them from unlawful take, harassment, and hunting while still allowing for cooperative management. The new classification would prohibit wolf hunting, maintain their listing as a priority species, and require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize wolf conservation. The sensitive species designation would be reviewed in two years and would only revert to endangered status if the wolf population is shown to be vulnerable or declining below the current population count. The bill amends existing wildlife classification laws to provide this new regulatory framework and requires the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement these changes as soon as practicable.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1311&Year=2025&Initiative=false