This bill creates a new law (adding a new chapter to Title 16 RCW) that bans force-feeding birds or hiring another to force-feed a bird and also prohibits knowingly selling, possessing, transporting, or distributing any foie gras or any product produced using force-feeding. The text includes a narrow exception allowing force-feeding when directed by a veterinarian to improve a bird’s health. Definitions in the bill specify terms such as "bird" (including domestic poultry), "foie gras" (the liver of a bird specifically fed to produce a large, fatty liver), "force-feeding" (feeding that causes a bird to ingest more food than it would voluntarily, including use of a tube), "department" (Department of Agriculture), "director," and "person" (a broad list of entities). The bill establishes an administrative enforcement regime: the director of the Department of Agriculture may administer and enforce the chapter, adopt rules consistent with chapter 34.05 RCW, and assess civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation and up to $1,000 per day for each day a violation continues, with penalty proceeds deposited into the state general fund. The act takes effect January 1, 2028 and is identified as H-3021.2 Substitute House Bill 1735 (69th Legislature, 2026). The extracted material does not specify the exact new chapter number in Title 16 RCW, does not explain why Section 6 is excluded from the new chapter, and does not provide detailed procedures for adjudicating violations or how enforcement will be carried out beyond granting rulemaking authority to the director.

If enacted, starting January 1, 2028 producers, distributors, restaurants and retail establishments in Washington that make, sell, possess, transport, or distribute foie gras produced by force-feeding will likely have to stop those activities or face civil fines (up to $1,000 per violation and up to $1,000 per day for ongoing violations). Veterinarians can still direct feeding when needed for a bird’s health, but businesses that currently rely on force-fed foie gras will lose that product line and may see lost sales or need to change production and sourcing practices. The Washington State Department of Agriculture will gain authority and responsibility to write rules and enforce the ban and to collect fines, which will go into the state general fund, creating some new revenue but also new administrative work. The bill does not specify how violations will be adjudicated, what enforcement procedures will look like, or whether the department will receive funding to carry out these duties, so the practical details of implementation and the department’s costs remain unclear.