Week 1 Highlights and New Action Alerts for Week 2:
- New Bills - Two new bills were filed this week:
- HB 2542 - requiring the use of alternatives to animal testing methods in drug development
- HB 2516 - banning the use of certain anti-coagulant rodenticides
- HB 1608 - banning the sale of farmed octopus products:
- Week 1 recap: This bill was passed out of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday with a 6-5 vote along party lines. The bill is now in the Rules Committee, waiting to be pulled for a House floor vote.
- HB 1904 - banning cat declawing:
- Week 1 recap: Over 3,000 people signed in Pro for the public hearing on this bill on Wednesday. That might be a record for animal welfare bills!
- Week 2 activity: This bill is now scheduled for consideration and a vote by the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on Friday.
- NEW ACTION: Complete our Action Alert by Thursday January 22nd.
- HB 2247/SB 6072 - expanding vet telehealth access:
- Week 1 recap: Over 2,000 people signed in Pro for the public hearing on HB 2247 on Wednesday.
- Week 2 activity:
- HB 2247 is scheduled for consideration and a vote by the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on Friday.
NEW ACTION: Complete our Action Alert by Thursday January 22nd.
- SB 6072, the identical Senate bill, is scheduled for public hearing on in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care on Friday.
NEW ACTION: Sign in "Pro" here by 7:00am on Friday January 23rd.
- HB 2258 - providing cities and counties with a new option for funding animal control and sheltering:
- Week 2 activity: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Friday.
NEW ACTION: Learn more and then sign in "Pro" here by 12:30pm on January 23rd.
- HB 1735 - prohibiting force-feeding of birds and banning the sale of force-fed foie gras.
- Week 1 recap: This bill was scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, but action was deferred pending finalization of amendments to the bill. We expect it to be rescheduled and move forward. The Week 1 Action Alert is still posted. No need to take action on this bill again if you have already done so. If you haven't, please do now!
- HB 1078 - restricting pet insurance cancellations and nonrenewals.
- Week 1 recap: This bill was scheduled for consideration by the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee, but no action was taken. It is not clear if this bill will move forward this session. Thank you to everyone who signed in Pro.
The best way to keep up to date during the week is with our 2026 Bill Tracker, which is updated several times a day and contains links directly to our active Action Alerts. You can also check our Action Alerts webpage to see which bills currently need support - it is update throughout the week.
If you are interested in taking action on wildlife bills, please visit Washington Wildlife First's campaign page and consider signing up for their action alerts. NARN's Action Alert page for wildlife bills is not yet updated for 2026, but I'll let you know when it/if it is.
Thanks for your support and please let me know if you have any questions!
