House Ag Committee Reports Out Farmed‑Octopus Bill After Divided Vote

During an executive session of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, members voted to report House Bill 16‑08 out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation by a roll call of 6 ayes and 5 nays.

Vice Chair Morgan moved the motion to report the bill with a due‑pass recommendation; the motion was seconded on the record but the seconding member was not identified. Representative Birnbaum urged members to consider octopus intelligence and to support the bill as a measure that reduces ecological and welfare impacts while leaving culinary uses unaffected: "Octopus are intelligent creatures. They've shown aptitude for problem solving," Birnbaum said. Representative Dent spoke for members who remained skeptical, saying the caucus had "some serious concerns" and would vote no without additional work.

Roll call recorded these votes: Reeves (Aye); Morgan (Aye); Dent (Nay without recommendation); Engle (Nay); Birnbaum (Aye); McClintock (Nay without recommendation); Nance (Aye); Orcutt (Nay, recorded 'do not pass'); Richards (Aye); Schmick (Nay, recorded 'do not pass'); Springer (Aye). The clerk announced the result as 6 ayes and 5 nays and the committee reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation.

The chair noted the committee deferred action on several bills on the executive session calendar (including House Bills 13‑11, 17‑35, 18‑25, 19‑76 and 20‑62) for further amendment or consideration. The committee adjourned after the vote.

Next steps: House Bill 16‑08 is reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation and will proceed through committee reporting processes; the other listed bills were deferred for amendment or further work and were not voted on during the executive session.