The bill addresses the issue of deer and elk damage to commercial crops in Washington State by amending existing laws and establishing new funding and compensation structures. It increases the annual payment limit for claims related to crop damage from $30,000 to $300,000 and appropriates an additional $184,000 for claims that exceed previously allocated amounts. The bill also emphasizes a more equitable prioritization of claims based on the percentage of loss incurred by claimants. Furthermore, it allows for appeals of denied claims, with a cap of $30,000 for deer or elk damage claims.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Fish and Wildlife to review wildlife damage programs in other states and report recommendations for changes to Washington statutes by December 1, 2024. A proposed pilot program to collar elk herds near agricultural lands was included in the bill but was vetoed by the Governor, who suggested that such a study should be conducted through a cooperative agreement rather than through statutory means. The bill aims to enhance the management of wildlife interactions with agricultural interests while ensuring that compensation processes are fair and adequately funded.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 77.36.080, 77.36.070, 77.36.130
Substitute Bill: 77.36.080, 77.36.070, 77.36.130
Second Substitute: 77.36.080, 77.36.070, 77.36.130
Bill as Passed Legislature: 77.36.080, 77.36.070, 77.36.130
Session Law: 77.36.080, 77.36.070, 77.36.130