WashingtonHB 13252025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Expanding enforcement options for certain fish and wildlife violations.

Sponsored By: Roger Goodman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.

Big game hunters face tougher penalties

Beginning July 27, 2025, hunting big game without buying required licenses, permits, or tags is a second-degree misdemeanor. This applies even when no animal is taken. Covered taking, possession, and hunting-rule violations also qualify. Hunting without required documents also qualifies after a big game infraction finding within the past two years. First-degree cases are class C felonies and include illegally hunting for, taking, or possessing three or more big game animals in one course of events. That means acts within 72 hours or acts forming a common plan. First degree also applies within five years of a prior unlawful big game conviction. First-degree convictions bring license and tag revocation and a 10-year hunting suspension. Second-degree convictions bring two-year consequences when they involve killing or possessing animals taken in closed seasons or areas, without proper authorization, by illegal methods, or over limits. Courts must also impose mandatory penalties under state law.

Big game violations carry $500 fines

Beginning July 27, 2025, each covered big game hunting infraction carries a mandatory $500 fine, plus statutory assessments. This covers hunting without a required license or tag. It also covers season, closed-area, closed-time, and hunting-method violations for deer, elk, black bear, or cougar. The rule-violation infraction excludes big game listed as protected, threatened, or endangered under state law. These civil infractions do not prevent criminal prosecution.

Missing big game tags brings charges

Beginning July 27, 2025, possessing big game without properly attaching or notching its required transport tag is a misdemeanor. The offense is second-degree unlawful transportation. Hunters and others possessing big game must follow the Department of Fish and Wildlife's tag rules.

Recreational fishers face more civil penalties

Beginning July 27, 2025, recreational fishing without a required license or catch record card is a civil infraction. Covered season, closed-area, closed-time, and fishing-method violations for fish or shellfish are also infractions. The rule-violation provision excludes net use covered by the separate net-use law and first-degree unlawful recreational fishing. This provision does not set a fine amount.

Fishing guides must address client violations

Beginning July 27, 2025, licensed fishing guides and charter boat operators face infractions for helping clients commit covered fishing infractions. When they know or reasonably believe a client is breaking or will break these rules, they must act. They must try to prevent the violation without force and report it. Failing to do both is an infraction, even when the client receives no citation.

Gun owners face tighter vehicle rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, unlawful possession of a loaded rifle or shotgun in motor vehicles or on off-road vehicles is a misdemeanor. Loaded means a round is in the chamber, or a muzzle-loading firearm is loaded and capped or primed. Department rules allow exceptions, including qualifying on-duty officers and hunters with disability designations who follow those rules. The stopped-motor-vehicle discharge exception does not cover off-road vehicles without the required department permit. Negligently firing from, across, or along the maintained part of a public highway is also unlawful. Firing from a moving motor vehicle or on a moving off-road vehicle is covered too. The section's stated exceptions remain in place.

Illegal seaweed trafficking carries felony penalties

Beginning July 27, 2025, trafficking seaweed in violation of state wildlife rules is a felony. Cases with a wholesale value below $250 are second-degree trafficking, a class C felony. Cases worth $250 or more qualify as first-degree trafficking, a class B felony. The law's other first-degree trafficking grounds also apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Roger Goodman
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Shaun Scott
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/20/2025