SB 5171 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning livestock damage due to wolf predation.

SB 5171 amends Washington state law to clarify compensation for livestock owners affected by wolf predation, bears, or cougars. It establishes a minimum $500 economic loss threshold for claims and requires the commission to set rules for qualifying damage, including a new process for indirect losses (like reduced weight gain or pregnancy rates from wolf harassment) by comparing current losses to historical averages. The bill ensures claims are prioritized based on loss percentage and specifies that unpaid claims due to funding limits may be paid in the next fiscal year. It directly affects ranchers and livestock owners who experience wildlife-related damage.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

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 renumbered from S-0028.1 to S-1205.1 and updated to reflect its status as a substitute bill. The most significant policy change modifies the criteria for calculating indirect livestock damage claims. Previously, claims compared current losses to the annual average loss before wolf populations were reestablished; now, the calculation must compare current losses to the average losses experienced during the year of the first confirmed wolf depredation and the two years preceding that event. This change aims to provide a more accurate baseline for determining economic loss by focusing on the specific period when the claimant first encountered wolf depredation.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on wolf predation compensation, but the eligibility criteria for indirect damage claims have been narrowed and refined to use a specific historical baseline rather than a general pre-reestablishment average.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the method for calculating indirect damage claims to compare current losses against the average losses from the year of the first confirmed wolf depredation and the two years prior, replacing the previous standard of comparing against the average loss before wolf populations were reestablished.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill's metadata to reflect a new reading date of February 17, 2025, and changed the sponsor listing to indicate the bill was originally sponsored by specific senators before being referred to the Agriculture & Natural Resources committee.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered the bill from S-0028.1 to S-1205.1 and updated the title from 'Senate Bill' to 'Substitute Senate Bill'.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

And refer to Ways & Means.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM.

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM.

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors