Relating to natural resources; and prescribing an effective date.
Summary
Provides that additional taxes otherwise imposed upon disqualification of land from certain forestland special assessment programs may not be collected if the disqualification is due to the suspension of reforestation requirements as a result of insects or disease. Authorizes the Water Resources Department to grant time extensions for specified water right permit holders to complete construction and apply water beneficially. Modifies requirement that the department's director or principal assistant be a registered engineer. Modifies provision specifying when a proposed order of the department becomes final. Directs the department to facilitate certain water users' enrollment in a federal conservation program. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Signed Mar 31, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
B-Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 6, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized into its Enrolled version, which includes new provisions to protect forestland owners from additional taxes if their land is disqualified due to insect or disease damage. It also clarifies how taxes are calculated when land loses special assessment status and updates the requirements for the Water Resources Department regarding engineers and water conservation programs.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include a tax deferral mechanism for land disqualified solely due to Douglas-fir mortality, whereas the previous version only summarized this intent without the detailed statutory language.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a specific provision allowing landowners to defer additional taxes if their forestland is disqualified from special assessment solely because of Douglas-fir mortality or disease.
REQUIREMENT
Added new subsections detailing the specific tax calculation methods and valuation rules that apply when land loses its special assessment status for reasons other than pests or disease.
Added a new requirement for the Water Resources Department to facilitate enrollment in a federal conservation program for certain water users.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill header from 'B-Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and removed editorial notes, indicating the bill has passed both chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House Feb 25, 2026
How they voted
28–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Mar 4, 2026
D
Democratic18
94% Yea
R
Republican12
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Mar 31, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed.
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass the B-Eng. bill.
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to Finance and Revenue.
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
First reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Marsh. Passed.
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed.
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Referred to Revenue by prior reference.
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed A-Engrossed, and be referred to Revenue by prior reference.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water with subsequent referral to Revenue.
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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