With elections over and 2016 nearly at an end, it is time to start looking towards what legislative goals we will have for the 2017 session. Our lobbyist, Mike Shaw, is already at work monitoring the results of the local elections and how it will impact the leadership and possible committee structures.
Committee member Rick Hall has re-connected with the Department of Revenue (DOR) regarding their plans to re-introduce a revenue technical corrections/clean-up bill that includes provisions to exempt animal adoption fees from retail sales tax.
o We are very pleased about the DOR’s plans, and that section of the bill has been reviewed by Rick, Jme Thomas (Motley Zoo), Laura Henderson (Pasado’s Safehaven), Laura Clark (Whatcom HS), Sally Andrews (Puyallup Animal Rescue) and Kay Joubert (PAWS).
o The current draft meets the Federations approval so once we know what bill number it is, we will be asking for support.
o The DOR is going to re-approach Senator Mark Schoesler (R- 9th District) about sponsoring the bill and getting it before the Ways and Means Committee.
Sponsor of the 2015 anti-cruelty, Senator Joe Fain, has expressed interest in championing an Anti-Tethering bill during the upcoming session. The last time this type of bill came up in 2013 it was unsuccessful but we are hopeful that with Senator Fain’s help and from the lessons learned during that session, that this time around we’ll be successful.
o The current version of the bill has been reviewed by Dan Paul (HSUS), Kevin O’Neill (ASPCA), Laura Clark (Whatcom HS) and Kay Joubert (PAWS).
o We also sent the bill to WACA for review by their board and are awaiting their reply.
o Dan, Kevin and Kay are meeting with Senator Fain in early December to discuss the bill and strategies for getting it through the legislature, provided the committee and the Federation board also agree to supporting it.
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