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Committee hears bill to require pet stores to provide invasive-species information to customers
Summary
House Bill 1976 would require retail pet stores to give customers a pamphlet produced by the Washington Invasive Species Council explaining risks of releasing pets or aquatic plants; sponsors, agency staff and hobbyist groups largely supported an educational approach while raising implementation and cost questions.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on Feb. 18, 2025, on House Bill 1976, which would require retail pet stores to provide customers with a pamphlet prepared by the Washington Invasive Species Council explaining risks and rehoming options for pets and aquatic plants.
In a staff briefing, Rebecca Lewis explained the bill’s purpose and context: “By way of background, invasive species are species of animals that are not naturally occurring in Washington and that pose risk of harming or threatening the state's environmental, economic, or human resources. The state invasive species council was created by statute in 02/2006 to provide policy level direction, planning and coordination to prevent the spread…
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