This state legislative session has been a whirlwind, and Washington Wildlife First has been in the thick of it, working tirelessly to advocate for the protection of Washington’s wildlife. We’ve testified, met with legislators, mobilized our coalition, shared critical science, and made sure legislators heard the voice of the vast majority of Washingtonians, who prioritize the protection of state wildlife. Thanks to our supporters and members of our coalition, we’ve achieved significant victories for wildlife. But the session isn’t over yet, and there’s much more to do! Find the latest updates below as the 2025 state legislative session continues through April!
Last updated March 7, 2025. Look for another update after March 12, the deadline for bills to pass their house of origin. For updates before then, click on the link to each bill, below, to see its status.
We Still Need Your Help to Stop These Bills
SB 5343 – Northeast Washington Wolf-Livestock Management Account
This bill would divert funding for non-lethal methods of preventing conflict between livestock and wolves, channeling it toward lethal action and funding for the Ferry and Stevens’ County Sheriff’s Departments, which focus their efforts on killing carnivores. Non-lethal methods of avoiding conflict are far more effective at preventing conflict, while lethal actions can backfire, destabilizing predator populations and leading to even more conflict.
Unfortunately, this bill has already passed the Senate, and is now before the House Appropriations Committee. If one of your representatives sits on the House Appropriations Committee, write or call them and ask them not to approve this funding. Tell them that, especially during this difficult budget year, they should focus the state’s money on promoting more effective non-lethal conflict resolution instead of diverting those funds toward more ineffective and counterproductive killing.
Join Us In Supporting These Bills
HB 1631 – Establishing the State Marine Forest
This bill would officially recognize kelp forests as Washington’s state marine forest. These forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, supporting a vast diversity of marine life and helping to combat climate change. But these forests have dramatically declined and are threatened by continued harmful human activity, such as killing predators that keep fish from overgrazing the forests, overharvesting of kelp for various commercial purposes, pollution, and warming oceans.
Although HB 1631 would be a symbolic gesture, it would raise awareness of the importance of kelp forests, and boost efforts to protect and restore these crucial habitats. HB 1631 has already passed the House, and is now before the Senate’s State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. If your senator sits on this committee, ask them to pass HB 1631 and take more action to protect Washington’s kelp forests!
You Helped Us Score These Wins for Wildlife!
HB 1311 – Prematurely Downlisting Wolves as a State Endangered Species
HB 1311 would have prematurely downlisted wolves from “endangered” to “sensitive” on the state endangered species list, despite clear scientific evidence that wolves have not met recovery targets. By reducing legal protections, HB 1311 would have increased both legal and illegal wolf killing and jeopardized state wolf recovery. As the federal government looks to eliminate protections for wolves under the Endangered Species Act, it is more important now than ever before for Washington to stand strong.
HB 1311 seemed to be on the fast-track through the legislature this session until Washington Wildlife First, our allies, and our supporters got involved. Thanks to our actions, the bill was withdrawn just as it was poised to go to a vote before the House Agriculture Committee. This victory is a testament to the power of standing together for wildlife!
HB 1442 and SB 5354 – Patchwork Wolf Management
These companion bills would have allowed counties to override state protections for wolves, creating a fragmented and politically driven management system controlled by anti-wolf special interests. Wolves don’t recognize county lines, and their survival depends on a coordinated, science-based approach—not local political decisions.
Wolf advocates stood strong and defeated these bills keeping them from passing through committee. This action helped ensure that wolf management in Washington remains coordinated and science-based, and will place the best interests of both wolves and people at the forefront.
SB 5590 – Legalizing Wolf-Baiting
This bill would have allowed ranchers and their agents to leave out carcasses of domesticated animals, stake them out, and shoot the first wolf they see—effectively legalizing wolf-baiting. Science shows killing wolves destabilizes wolf packs and increases conflicts with domesticated animals. By stopping this bill in the Senate Agriculture Committee, wildlife advocates protected both wolves and domesticated animals.
SB 5171 – Increasing Compensation for Indeterminate Losses
This bill would have changed the formula by which compensation for wolf-related domesticated animal indirect losses (e.g., for reduced weight or pregnancy rates) would have been calculated, by comparing current year losses to the average annual losses during the year that the claimant experienced his or her first confirmed wolf depredation and the two years preceding that event. This change would substantially increase compensation costs and would have attributed any indirect losses over that time to wolves, despite most livestock health and mortality issues being caused by non-predatory factors like weather, disease, and husbandry practices. This could lead to overspending and misallocated funds, as seen in Colorado in California.
HB 1930 – Putting Hunters and Anglers in Control of State Wildlife
HB 1930 would have changed requirements for state Fish & Wildlife Commissioners, who control all state fish and wildlife policy and rules. It would have required all Commissioners to hold hunting or fishing licenses during 3 of the past 5 years, effectively disenfranchising the more than 90% of Washingtonians who do not hunt or fish. It would also have empowered county authorities to nominate members of the Commission, fracturing the Commission by securing the appointment of Commissioners who represent only their county, rather than all the people of the state. Thanks to the efforts of Washingtonians who care about wildlife, we defeated this bill, preserving a commission that works for all of Washington’s residents.
HJM 4004 – Scapegoating Pinnipeds for Salmon Decline
HJM 4004 would have asked Congress and the Trump Administration to amend the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, to make it easier to kill sea lions and seals. President Trump doesn’t need any help from the Washington legislature in weakening bedrock wildlife protections like the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The state is already killing too many seals and sea lions for eating salmon, but HJM 4004 seeks to loosen protections even more, using pinnipeds as a scapegoat for problems humans continue to cause.
The real threats to wild salmon populations are all human-caused: habitat destruction, overfishing, hydropower dams, and hatchery production. Humans have created the conditions that have led to large numbers of pinnipeds gathering where salmon are concentrated due to dams and other obstacles that prevent their migration. As long as those conditions are allowed to persist, pinnipeds will continue to gather for the feast we’ve laid out for them, leading to an endless cycle of killing.
Good Bills That Didn’t Advance This Session
SB 5203 – Ensuring Wildlife Connectivity
This bill would have created a strategy to protect wildlife corridors, strips of land that allow wildlife to bypass human-made obstructions like highways, so they can safely move between habitats. These corridors are essential to maintain healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems by allowing wildlife to freely migrate and seek food, water, and shelter. While it didn’t pass this session, wildlife advocates laid the groundwork for future efforts.
SB 5482 – Restricting Hound Hunting
SB 5482 sought to close a loophole in Washington’s ban on hound hunting, preventing rogue county posses from using hounds to track and kill cougars. Though this bill didn’t pass, HB 1399 (below) would have accomplished many of the same aims.
HB 1399 – Reining in Lawless “Constitutional” Sheriffs and Stopping County “Posses” from Using Hounds to Hunt Animals and People
HB 1399 is a critical public safety bill aimed at reining in rogue county sheriffs who refuse to enforce state laws. Thanks to an amendment coming out of committee, the bill would also prohibit sheriff department volunteers from using hounds to hunt either animals or people, eliminating local abuse of a loophole in the hound hunting ban: With the exceptions of reserve officers as defined in RCW 10.93.020 and those volunteers and specially commissioned officers who are certified under chapter 43.101 RCW, any sheriff in any county that uses volunteers or specially commissioned officers to assist in the sheriff’s work may not provide authority to these volunteers and specially commissioned officers to enforce criminal laws, carry or use firearms or other weapons, or use dogs to track people or animals other than for purposes of search and rescue.
As of March 7, HB 1399 is poised for a vote on the House floor before the March 12 cutoff, but we will need your help if and when it moves to the Senate!
HB 1685 – Reforming the Fish & Wildlife Commission
This bill proposed making the director of Washington Fish and Wildlife a cabinet position with executive authority over the department, while keeping the commission as an independent, advisory body. While we still believe this is the best long-term solution to the problems with the current wildlife governance structure, this session was not the right time. We will continue our push for sensible governance reforms.
What’s Next?
The work is far from over, but with your unwavering support, we are making real progress for wildlife in Washington. There are still challenges ahead, but together, we can build on the victories we’ve already achieved. Stay tuned for action alerts, monitor this page for updates, and please continue to stand with us as we push for policies that protect and preserve our wildlife for generations to come.
Thank you for everything you do! Your voice makes all the difference—together, we’re creating a future where wildlife can thrive.