Adding tribal members to the fish and wildlife commission.
HB 2578 adds four tribal representatives to Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission, increasing its total membership from nine to 13. Specifically, it requires the governor to appoint two tribal chairs (one from tribes east of the Cascades, one from tribes west of the Cascades) and two tribal council members as alternates for each region, all serving four-year terms. These tribal members must be elected tribal leaders whose traditional lands are in Washington and will represent all federally recognized tribes in the state. The bill amends commission composition rules in RCW 77.04.030 to formalize this tribal representation, ensuring tribal perspectives are included in fish and wildlife management decisions.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Last action Jan 28, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 13 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Debra Lekanoff
DDemocratic
Co
Brianna Thomas
DDemocratic
Co
Cindy Ryu
DDemocratic
Co
Edwin Obras
DDemocratic
Co
Gerry Pollet
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Timmons
DDemocratic
Co
Julia Reed
DDemocratic
Co
Julio Cortes
DDemocratic
Co
Lisa Parshley
DDemocratic
Co
Mary Fosse
DDemocratic
Co
Osman Salahuddin
DDemocratic
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