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HB1608 • 2026

Farmed octopus

Concerning the selling, possessing, transporting, and distributing of farmed octopus.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Peterson, Representative Berg, Representative Fitzgibbon, Representative Chase, Representative Walen, Representative Farivar, Representative Leavitt, Representative Ramel, Representative Gregerson, Representative Parshley, Representative Reed, Representative Bernbaum, Representative Goodman, Representative Springer, Representative Kloba, Representative Hill, Representative Macri, Representative Fosse, Representative Davis
Last action
2026-01-15
Official status
H Rules R
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Farmed octopus

Farmed octopus

What This Bill Does

  • Farmed octopus

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-15 House

    Referred to Rules 2 Review.

Official Summary Text

Farmed octopus

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
AN ACT Relating to the selling, possessing, transporting, and 1
distributing of farmed octopus; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; 2
and prescribing penalties. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that octopuses are 5
highly intelligent animals that exhibit the ability to learn and 6
problem solve. Octopuses use tools, solve puzzles, untie knots, and 7
learn from observation. A new study indicates that octopuses may 8
share a genetic trait with humans, called a transposon or "jumping 9
gene," that could explain octopuses' intelligence and ability to 10
cognitively process and adapt to their environment. In addition, 11
octopuses are sentient beings capable of experiencing emotions, such 12
as fear, pain, pleasure, stress, and affection. In 2024, the 13
legislature prohibited octopus aquaculture in Washington for reasons 14
including that an octopus' intelligence makes it difficult to execute 15
and balance high welfare farming with a need for solitary enclosures. 16
Octopus are solitary creatures that can become aggressive toward each 17
other when kept in confinement and are known for being able to escape 18
from many different types of enclosures. Therefore, the legislature 19
intends to expand on protections for these highly intelligent and 20
H-0796.1
HOUSE BILL 1608
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Peterson, Berg, Fitzgibbon, Chase, Walen, Farivar,
Leavitt, Ramel, Gregerson, Parshley, Reed, Bernbaum, Goodman,
Springer, Kloba, Hill, Macri, Fosse, and Davis
Read first time 01/27/25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture &
Natural Resources.
p. 1 HB 1608
sentient beings by eliminating the economic market for farmed 1
octopus. 2
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply 3
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 4
otherwise.5
(1) "Aquaculture" has the same definition as in RCW 15.85.020.6
(2) "Person" includes individuals, firms, partnerships, 7
corporations, and associations. 8
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A person may not knowingly sell, 9
possess, transport, or distribute any species of octopus that is the 10
result or product of aquaculture.11
(2) A person violating this section may be subject to a civil 12
penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation. The attorney general, 13
acting in the name of the state, may seek recovery of the penalty in 14
civil action in superior court. 15
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act 16
constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.17
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1608