Bill > SB6233

This bill amends existing law to clarify and adjust penalties related to the sale of "covered animal species," which refers to parts or products from animals threatened with extinction. It makes it unlawful to sell, offer to sell, purchase, trade, barter for, or distribute these items, with exceptions for bona fide antiques over 100 years old where the animal part is less than 15% of the item's volume, for educational or scientific purposes, as part of an inheritance, if the animal part is less than 15% of a musical instrument's volume, or if expressly authorized by federal law. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement officials are exempt when acting under their official duties. It reclassifies violations based on the market value of the covered animal species parts or products, with a market value under $250 constituting unlawful trafficking in the second degree (a gross misdemeanor), and a market value of $250 or more, or occurring after a prior conviction, constituting unlawful trafficking in the first degree (a class C felony). Additionally, the bill increases the criminal wildlife penalty assessment from $2,000 to $4,000 for convictions, with half of these funds to be transferred to the University of Washington's center for environmental forensic science, and doubles this assessment for first-degree trafficking offenses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6233&Year=2025&Initiative=false