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SB5065 • 2026
Prohibiting the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
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Traveling animal acts
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10 • Chapman
Plain English: 5065 AMS CHAP S1121.1 SB 5065 - S AMD 10 By Senator Chapman ADOPTED 02/07/2025 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "NEW SECTION.
Effective date 7/27/2025.
Traveling animal acts
AN ACT Relating to prohibiting the use of certain animals in 1 traveling animal acts; adding a new chapter to Title 9 RCW; and 2 prescribing penalties. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply 5 throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 6 otherwise.7 (1) "Covered animal" means any of the following animals, and 8 hybrids thereof: 9 (a) Elephantidae; 10 (b) Felidae, including any hybrids thereof, but excluding 11 domestic cats; 12 (c) Nonhuman primate; and 13 (d) Ursidae. 14 (2) "Mobile or traveling housing facility" means a transporting 15 vehicle such as a truck, trailer, or railway car, used to transport 16 or house animals while traveling for exhibition or other performance.17 (3) "Performance" means any exhibition, public showing, 18 presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, 19 trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race, or similar 20 undertaking in which animals are required to perform tricks, give 21 S-0064.2 SENATE BILL 5065 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Liias, Lovick, Stanford, Bateman, Frame, Krishnadasan, Nobles, Riccelli, and Saldaña Prefiled 12/16/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Law & Justice. p. 1 SB 5065 rides, or participate as accompaniments for the entertainment, 1 amusement, or benefit of a live audience. 2 (4) "Person" means individuals, corporations, partnerships, 3 associations, or other legal entities, and agents of those entities.4 (5) "Traveling animal act" means any performance of animals where 5 such animals are transported to, from, or between locations for the 6 purpose of such performance, in a mobile or traveling housing 7 facility. 8 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of 9 law, no person shall allow for the participation of a covered animal 10 in a traveling animal act.11 NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This chapter shall not apply to a 12 performance that takes place at a nonmobile, permanent institution or 13 other fixed facility, provided that the covered animal is not 14 transported to such location for the sole purpose of such 15 performance.16 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A violation of this chapter is a gross 17 misdemeanor.18 NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A city or county may adopt an ordinance 19 governing traveling animal acts that is more restrictive than this 20 chapter.21 NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act 22 constitute a new chapter in Title 9 RCW.23 NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. If any provision of this act or its 24 application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the 25 remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other 26 persons or circumstances is not affected.27 --- END --- p. 2 SB 5065