WA People
BILL · 2019–20 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2SSB 5577

SB 5577: Orca whales/vessels

Concerning the protection of southern resident orca whales from vessels.

Summary

  • Increases the distance within which a vessel or other object may not approach a southern resident orca whale (orca).
  • Establishes a speed limit of 7 knots within one-half of a nautical mile of an orca.
  • Establishes commercial whale watching and alternate operator licenses, sets fees for the licenses, and requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to report on the license program.
  • Directs the DFW to convene an independent science panel to analyze the most current and best available science regarding noise impacts to orcas by small vessels and whale watching vessels.
  • Requires the topic of sustainable whale watching to be included in the statewide tourism marketing plan.

From the Second Substitute House Bill Report (2SSB 5577), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 291, Laws of 2019
  1. IntroducedJan 24, 2019
  2. Out of committeeMar 1, 2019
  3. Passed SenateMar 7, 2019
  4. Passed HouseApr 15, 2019
  5. GovernorMay 8, 2019
  6. LawMay 8, 2019
Prime sponsor
Christine Rolfes (D-23)
Introduced
January 24, 2019 in the Senate
Last action
May 8, 2019
Session law
Chapter 291, Laws of 2019
Requested by
Governor
Companion bill
HB 1580
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5577, SSB 5577, 2SSB 5577

AN ACT Relating to the protection of southern resident orca whales from vessels;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Christine Rolfes (D-23)

9 co-sponsors (9 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Senator D-46Marko Liias D-21John McCoy D-38Manka Dhingra D-45Senator D-22Karen Keiser D-33Patty Kuderer D-48Rebecca Saldaña D-37Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 7, 2019
Version voted on: 2SSB 5577
46 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican17300
How each member voted

Nay (3)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 15, 2019
Version voted on: 2SSB 5577
84 Yea 13 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56001
Republican281300
How each member voted

Yea (84)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 22, 2019
Version voted on: 2SSB 5577
44 Yea 5 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican15500
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/28/2019*. (2SSB 5577)
  2. Chapter 291, 2019 Laws. (2SSB 5577)
  3. Governor signed. (2SSB 5577)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (2SSB 5577)
  5. Speaker signed. (2SSB 5577)
  6. President signed. (2SSB 5577)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 44; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2SSB 5577)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (2SSB 5577)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 84; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 1. (2SSB 5577)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SSB 5577)
  11. Committee recommendations adopted and the bill amended. (2SSB 5577)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (2SSB 5577)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (2SSB 5577)
  14. Minority; without recommendation. (2SSB 5577)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5577)
  16. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (2SSB 5577)
  17. Referred to Appropriations. (2SSB 5577)
  18. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5577)
  19. RDAN - Majority; do pass. (2SSB 5577)
  20. First reading, referred to Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources. (2SSB 5577)
  21. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2SSB 5577)
  22. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2SSB 5577)
  23. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (2SSB 5577)
  24. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5577)
  25. 2nd substitute bill substituted.
  26. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (2SSB 5577)
  27. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5577)
  28. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  29. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (2SSB 5577)
  30. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5577)
  31. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  32. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (2SSB 5577)
  33. Minority; without recommendation. (2SSB 5577)
  34. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5577)
  35. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5577)
  36. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5577)
  37. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5577)
  38. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  39. Minority; without recommendation.
  40. Minority; do not pass.
  41. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5577)
  42. Referred to Ways & Means.
  43. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5577)
  44. AWNP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5577)
  45. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5577)
  46. And refer to Ways & Means.
  47. AWNP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  48. Minority; without recommendation.
  49. First reading, referred to Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.

SB 5577 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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