Washington state moves to ban farmed octopus sales and farming, citing their intelligence, despite no current farms.

Washington state lawmakers advanced a bill banning the sale, possession, transport, and distribution of farmed octopus, building on a 2024 law that prohibited octopus farming. House Bill 1608 passed a party-line vote in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, aims to protect octopuses—recognized as sentient, intelligent animals—by preventing commercial farming, though wild-caught octopus remains unaffected. The bill, which carries fines up to $1,000 for violations, now moves to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. No octopus farms currently operate in the state, but the law is seen as a precautionary measure.