This week, the Senate State Government and Elections Committee advanced a bill that would protect owners and pets during extreme weather situations. Next up, the bill is scheduled for a critical hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Friday, February 23. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is nearing the finish line, but your support is needed.
Washington state residents are encouraged to support House Bill 1012. Scroll down for ways to help.
Summary:
House Bill 1012 was written in response to a severe heat wave in the state in 2021 that left many people and their pets without a safe place to go. A similar bill was introduced in 2022, but it ran out of time in a shortened legislative session.
House Bill 1012 would develop an “extreme weather grant program” to help localities offset the costs of assisting their communities during severe weather if they do not have the resources to help those who are “socially vulnerable”. These grants would include funding to help with the establishment and operation of “warming and cooling centers” that are pet friendly.
AKC appreciates this bill, which will allow these individuals and their pets to be transported to safe facilities that will protect their health and safety if they have no other viable options. This bill will protect the lives of people and their beloved pets.
What You Can Do:
House Bill 1012 is scheduled for consideration in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Friday, February 23 at 1:30 PM.
Those who wish to register your support with the committee can do so by clicking HERE. After clicking the link, please select “Ways & Means” from the first drop down menu and “02/23/2024 1:30 PM” from the second drop down menu. Then scroll through the list of bills and select “SHB 1012 Extreme Weather Events.”
There are two ways to register your support:
1) If you can’t join the hearing, select “I would like my position noted for the legislative record” and fill out the contact information page to register your support.
2) If you can join the hearing, select the “I would like to testify remotely” option. Fill out the form and you will be emailed a link to join the hearing. This will allow you to register your support in the hearing.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in Washington impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.