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WashingtonHB 11492025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Preventing cruelty to animals.

Sponsored By: David Hackney (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

New fines and costs after conviction

Beginning July 27, 2025, a conviction under the animal-cruelty law carries a $1,000 civil penalty to the county. You also must repay reasonable costs for the investigation and for the animal’s care, adoption, or euthanasia. The court can require you to take an animal-cruelty class or get counseling. You pay for the program or treatment.

Long bans on owning animals

Beginning July 27, 2025, people convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting face bans on owning or living with animals. A first second-degree cruelty conviction brings a two-year ban. A first first-degree cruelty or animal-fighting conviction brings a permanent ban. A second or later cruelty conviction also brings a permanent ban. You may ask the court to restore rights five years after your second conviction, but only if both convictions are second-degree. Breaking a ban is a crime that rises from a misdemeanor to a class C felony on a third time.

Farm and vet care protected

Beginning July 27, 2025, accepted animal husbandry and accepted veterinary medical practices are not treated as cruelty. Licensed veterinarians and certified vet techs may perform usual procedures without facing cruelty charges.

Stronger animal-cruelty charges and probation

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law defines more acts as second-degree animal cruelty. Second-degree cruelty is a gross misdemeanor. Courts set probation at two years for these crimes. If you have more than one conviction, sentences run one after the other.

Court can forfeit seized animals

Beginning July 27, 2025, courts must forfeit animals if an animal died from the offense or the defendant has a prior cruelty conviction. Courts may also order forfeiture in other severe cases that are likely to happen again. The court may wait until probation ends before deciding forfeiture.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David Hackney

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Walen

    Democratic • House

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Timmons

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Sam Low

    Republican • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Shelley Kloba

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 12

House vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 85 • No: 11 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 47 • No: 1 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/12/2025House

  2. Chapter 220, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 85; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/17/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/3/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/3/2025House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/3/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/26/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  14. LAW - Majority; do pass.

    3/20/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/13/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/12/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2025House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/12/2025House

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2025House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/5/2025House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/17/2025House

  22. CS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/16/2025House

  23. CS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/16/2025House

  24. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

    1/13/2025House

  25. Introduced

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

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