SB 6233
In CommitteeSenate
Sale of covered animals
Concerning penalties for sale of covered animal species.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill strengthens Washington’s ban on buying, selling, or trading parts of endangered or threatened animals (like elephants, rhinos, and sea turtles), with narrow exceptions for antiques, education, museums, inheritance, and musical instruments. It creates stronger criminal penalties and fines based on the value of the animal parts involved.
- Prohibits selling, buying, trading, or distributing parts or products of covered (endangered/threatened) animal species, with specific exceptions.
- Allows exceptions for antique items over 100 years old (if the covered animal part is less than 15% of the item by volume), educational/scientific/museum use, inheritance transfers, and musical instruments (if covered parts are less than 15% by volume).
- Sets criminal penalties: a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 fine) for violations involving parts valued under $250, and a class C felony (up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine) for violations involving parts valued at $250 or more, repeat offenses, or violations within 5 years of prior convictions.
- Imposes a mandatory $4,000 criminal wildlife penalty assessment (doubled to $8,000 for first-degree violations), paid to the state and split between the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Reward Account and the University of Washington’s Center for Environmental Forensic Science.
- Requires the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to submit annual reports to the legislature on enforcement activities and recommendations.
Who is affected
- Antique dealers, collectors, and musicians — Individuals or businesses who own, buy, sell, or trade items containing parts of endangered or threatened animals (e.g., ivory, rhino horn, turtle shell) — this includes collectors, antique dealers, and musicians with instruments containing such materials.
- Heirs and estate beneficiaries — People who inherit items containing covered animal parts — the bill allows transfers to legal beneficiaries but still restricts further sale unless an exception applies.
- Law enforcement and government agencies — Law enforcement officers and government employees carrying out wildlife enforcement duties — the bill explicitly excludes their official activities from the prohibitions.
- Educators, researchers, and museums — Educational institutions, scientists, and museums — the bill permits distribution of covered animal parts for educational, scientific, or museum purposes under specific conditions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Creates a $4,000–$8,000 criminal wildlife penalty assessment, with half going to the University of Washington’s Center for Environmental Forensic Science and half to the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Reward Account—funding wildlife enforcement, forensic science, and tip-driven investigations that help combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect native and migratory species.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: RCW 77.15.135(5) & (7)Strengthens prohibitions on buying, selling, and trading parts of endangered or threatened species (e.g., elephants, rhinos, sea turtles), reducing demand for illegal wildlife products and supporting global conservation efforts—benefiting biodiversity, ecosystems, and Washington’s role in international wildlife protection treaties.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: RCW 77.15.135(1)Permits distribution of endangered-species parts for educational, scientific, or museum purposes—supporting academic research, public science literacy, and cultural preservation in schools, universities, and institutions across the state.
EducationPeopleRef: RCW 77.15.135(2)(b) & (d)Allows inheritance of items containing endangered-species parts, preserving family heirlooms and cultural legacies while preventing further commercial exploitation—balancing property rights with conservation goals.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: RCW 77.15.135(2)(c)Requires annual reporting to the legislature on enforcement activities and recommendations—enhancing transparency, accountability, and legislative oversight of wildlife enforcement practices.
Local GovernmentRef: RCW 77.15.135(8)
Potential Concerns (5)
Increases criminal penalties for violations involving animal parts valued at $250 or more (class C felony, up to 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine), which may disproportionately impact low-income individuals unable to afford legal defense or post-bail, potentially leading to longer pretrial detention and harsher sentencing outcomes for minor infractions.
Public SafetyRef: RCW 77.15.135(4)(a)-(d)Imposes a mandatory $4,000 (or $8,000 for first-degree violations) criminal wildlife penalty assessment on convicted individuals, which may impose significant financial hardship on low- and middle-income Washingtonians—especially those convicted of gross misdemeanors—without offsetting benefits, and may discourage lawful antique or musical instrument transactions due to fear of severe financial penalty.
FinancialRef: RCW 77.15.135(5) & (7)Creates compliance burdens for antique dealers, collectors, and musicians through documentation requirements (e.g., provenance for antiques, volume calculations for instruments), which may be especially difficult for small antique shops, independent musicians, or estate executors without legal or archival resources.
Business & EmploymentRef: RCW 77.15.135(2)(a) & (d)Restricts inheritance rights by prohibiting heirs from reselling inherited items containing endangered-species parts (e.g., ivory jewelry, tortoiseshell combs), even if acquired legally decades ago, thereby limiting property rights and economic utility of lawfully inherited assets.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: RCW 77.15.135(2)(c)May reduce the market value of historic homes or collectible items containing antique furniture with <15% covered animal parts (e.g., ivory inlays), potentially affecting homeowners’ equity and estate planning—though the effect is likely minor and limited to niche cases.
HousingRef: RCW 77.15.135(2)(a)
Who Is Most Affected
Antique dealers and collectors face increased compliance burdens (e.g., proving provenance, volume thresholds), and may lose market value or ability to resell items—even legally acquired ones—though the 15% volume exception and antique exception provide some relief.
Heirs may inherit items containing endangered-species parts but cannot resell them without violating the law, limiting economic utility and potentially forcing costly legal workarounds or disposal—though the inheritance exception preserves noncommercial transfer.
Law enforcement gains clearer statutory authority and funding (via penalty assessments) to investigate and prosecute wildlife crimes, but must also navigate new documentation and valuation thresholds during enforcement.
Museums, educators, and researchers benefit from explicit permission to possess and distribute endangered-species parts for educational/scientific purposes—supporting academic missions and public outreach.
Low- and middle-income Washingtonians may face disproportionate financial penalties ($4,000–$8,000) for minor violations (e.g., selling a vintage violin with <15% ivory), while benefiting indirectly from stronger environmental protections and wildlife enforcement funding.