GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested Amendment to

WASHINGTON STATE COURT RULES:

IRLJ 6.2

Submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

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A.    Name of Proponent:         Captain Jeff Wickersham, WDFW Enforcement

Denise Marti, WDFW Enforcement Legal Liaison

Tom McBride, WDFW Legislative Director

B.  Spokesperson:                   Tom McBride, WDFW Legislative Director

C.  Purpose:

Recent legislation, laws of 2020, ch. 38, § 3, amends RCW 77.15.160 (effective June 11, 2020) to provide for greater infraction issuance authority for fish and wildlife enforcement in situations currently designated as criminal offenses. These new, and some existing, infractions are not included for penalty amounts under IRLJ 6.2. This draft lists the specific infractions and designates the base penalty for each infraction. This will reduce confusion in the courts and promote proportionate and equal application of the laws and penalties statewide.

D.  Proposed Amendments:

[see below]

E.  Hearing:  A hearing is not recommended due to the technical nature of the amendment. Further the infraction options created allow for a civil penalty to be imposed as opposed to a criminal penalty, reducing both sanction and court costs.

F.  Expedited Consideration:  Expedited consideration is requested to minimize confusion in the court and legal community.