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Bill

HB 1325

Expanding enforcement options for certain fish and wildlife violations.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roger Goodman and 1 co-sponsor

Washington expands fish and wildlife enforcement options beyond traditional fines to strengthen compliance with hunting and fishing regulations statewide.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1325

Legislative bill overview

HB 1325 expands the enforcement tools available to Washington state fish and wildlife officials for addressing certain violations of fishing and hunting regulations. The bill broadens the penalties and enforcement mechanisms that can be applied to wildlife law violations beyond traditional fines and criminal prosecution.

Why is this important

Fish and wildlife enforcement depends on compliance with hunting and fishing regulations that protect species populations and ecosystem health. By providing enforcement officers with additional tools, the state aims to improve voluntary compliance and reduce illegal harvest activities that threaten sustainable wildlife management.

Potential points of contention

  • Civil penalties vs. criminal enforcement: Expansion of enforcement options may shift some violations from criminal to civil processes, raising questions about due process protections and fairness across violation types
  • Officer discretion: Broader enforcement tools increase individual officer discretion in choosing penalties, which could lead to inconsistent application across regions or demographic groups
  • Recreational impact: Enhanced enforcement and penalties may disproportionately affect certain recreational fishing and hunting communities, potentially raising equity concerns about access to traditional practices

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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