WSR 26-19-142 — Department of Fish and Wildlife [Order 26-04—FILED September 23, 2026, 11:30 A.M.] Original Notice

WSR 26-19-142 — Department of Fish and Wildlife [Order 26-04—FILED September 23, 2026, 11:30 A.M.] Original Notice WSR 26-19-142 (26-19) WSR 26-19-142 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE [Order 26-04—Filed September 23, 2026, 11:30 a.m.] Original Notice. Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-06-036 on February 24, 2026. Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 220-440-020 Definitions, and 220-440-080 Killing wolves attacking domestic animals. Hearing Location(s): On November 19-21, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., at Oxford Suites, Downtown Spokane, 115 West North River Drive, Spokane, WA 99201; or virtual. Information on how to register to testify at the public hearing is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission.meetings , or contact the fish and wildlife commission (FWC) office at 360-902-2267. Date of Intended Adoption: On or after December 11, 2026. Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504, email 2026wolfcr102@publicinput.com , fax 360-902-2162, web https://engage.wdfw.wa.gov/2026wolfcr102 , phone 855-925-2801, project code 7549, beginning October 19, 2026, 12:00 p.m., by November 23, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Title VI/ADA compliance coordinator, phone 360-902-2349, TTY 1-800-833-6388 or 711, email Title6@dfw.wa.gov , web http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation , by November 12, 2026. Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed amendments to WAC 220-440-020 and 220-440-080 are in response to a communication by Governor Jay Inslee in January 2024 granting a petition for rule making directed to the Washington FWC and Washington department of fish and wildlife (WDFW) relating to wolf management. As part of this rule proposal, WDFW may seek to make a verb tense change to the definition of the word "attack" in WAC 220-440-020. The proposed changes to WAC 220-440-080 include the following: (1) Eliminate the term "agent" from the identified entities who may kill one gray wolf, while that wolf or multiple wolves are attacking their domestic animals. (2) Clarify that a documented representative of the owner of domestic animals could be one of the entities who may kill one gray wolf, while that wolf or multiple wolves are attacking their domestic animals. (3) Clarify the requirements for establishing a person as a documented representative. (4) Create a new subsection that clarifies that the rule does not apply to individuals who attract wolves by negligently leaving sick, injured, or dead domestic animals in grazing areas. As part of this rule proposal, WDFW is also proposing a verb tense change to the definition of "attack" in WAC 220-440-020. In addition to addressing a grammar issue, WDFW is proposing the verb tense change for the purpose of allowing commission discussion of the potential for further amendments to the definition. If any major changes in amendment are requested by a majority of FWC, WDFW would publish a supplemental CR-102 after developing new proposed rule language consistent with that direction. Reasons Supporting Proposal: In line with the 2024 petition, WDFW has recognized: (a) There was an ambiguity regarding "agent" of the owner of domestic animals who can kill one gray wolf attacking their domestic animals. Thus, WDFW proposed to remove "agent of the owner" and introduce "documented representative of the owner" to bring some clarity for the entities to be eligible for taking one wolf attacking their domestic animals. (b) There was confusion regarding the "timeline" when one wolf can be killed. WDFW proposes "an owner of domestic animals, the owner's immediate family member, or the owner's documented employee or documented representative may kill one gray wolf ( Canis lupus ), while the wolf or multiple wolves are attacking their domestic animals." (c) Wolves in Eastern Washington are federally delisted, and this proposed rule is applicable in all of that area. (d) WDFW can better align WAC 220-440-080 with the agency's commitment Matter furnished by the Washington Office of the Code Reviser (Washington State Register). Notice Nearby did not write this notice. Source: Washington State Register Published: 2026-09-23 Original: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2026/19/26-19-142.htm This listing was added to the Notice Nearby public register from a public government source. It is not a Notice Nearby paid publication, affidavit, or placement certificate.