Supporting back country search and rescue organizations and volunteers through the creation of the back country search and rescue grant program.
HB 1625 creates a grant program to provide funding for back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations and volunteers in Washington state. The program directly supports groups that respond to emergencies in remote, rugged terrain, where specialized skills and equipment are required to locate and rescue individuals. The bill amends state law to establish this grant mechanism, enabling these organizations to maintain operations and services. This policy change offers concrete financial resources to enhance SAR capabilities in backcountry areas.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to reflect its progression from the House floor to the substitute version, updating the bill number and sponsor attribution. The substantive policy content, including the creation of the back country search and rescue grant program and the definitions of emergency management terms, remains unchanged. The only notable modification is a minor wording adjustment in the definition of 'back country search and rescue,' changing 'specialized training' to 'expertise.'
TECHNICAL
Updated bill metadata to change the bill number from H-0757.1 to H-1579.1 and updated the reading date from 01/27/25 to 02/21/25.
Changed the sponsor attribution from a list of individual Representatives to the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans committee.
DEFINITION
Modified the definition of 'back country search and rescue' to replace the phrase 'specialized training' with 'expertise' when describing the skills required for the activity.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 9:00 AM.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.
lower
1 primary · 15 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dave Stuebe
RRepublican
Co
Adam Bernbaum
DDemocratic
Co
Adison Richards
DDemocratic
Co
Alex Ramel
DDemocratic
Co
Andrew Barkis
RRepublican
Co
Gloria Mendoza
RRepublican
Co
Greg Nance
DDemocratic
Co
Janice Zahn
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Timmons
DDemocratic
Co
Kevin Waters
RRepublican
Co
Larry Springer
DDemocratic
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