Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 6207: Maintaining hatchery production of salmonids.

SB 6207 requires Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife to maintain current production levels of hatchery-raised salmon and other migratory fish (anadromous species), even if specific hatcheries close. It directly affects endangered or sensitive fish stocks that rely on hatchery programs for population support. The bill mandates that any lost production from a closed hatchery must be offset by increasing output at other operational facilities. This policy change ensures consistent hatchery support for fish populations despite potential budget constraints or facility closures. The law creates a new requirement under state fishery regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates maintaining hatchery production for endangered fish stocks, directly supporting conservation of natural resources and species protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6233: Concerning penalties for sale of covered animal species.

SB 6233 makes it illegal to sell, trade, or distribute parts or products of covered animal species (like ivory or turtle shell) without specific exceptions. Exceptions include antique items over 100 years old (with less than 15% animal part), educational/scientific use, inheritance, or musical instruments containing minimal animal parts. Violations are classified as a gross misdemeanor for items under $250 or a class C felony for higher-value items ($250+), repeat offenses, or within five years of prior convictions. Convicted individuals must pay a $4,000 penalty (doubled for felonies), which funds wildlife enforcement and research at the University of Washington.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits sale of endangered species products (ivory/turtle shell) with penalties, directly protecting wildlife conservation and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2578: 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds tribal representation to Fish and Wildlife Commission, enhancing conservation decision-making through indigenous knowledge and traditional land stewardship.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 6322: Directing the relocation of the Bob Oke game farm.

This bill requires the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to relocate the Bob Oke game farm (a pheasant-rearing facility in Lewis County) to a new site that won't risk contaminating municipal or residential drinking water supplies. It mandates hydrogeologic assessments of candidate locations, consultation with local communities and water utilities, and a relocation plan due by December 2026. The farm must move fully by 2029, with interim measures like reduced bird populations and expanded manure disposal to minimize groundwater contamination during transition. The bill directly affects the game farm's operations, state agencies managing it, and nearby residents whose private wells have exceeded federal nitrate limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates relocation to prevent drinking water contamination, requiring hydrogeologic assessments and community consultation to protect water resources, directly advancing pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2516: Placing a moratorium on the use of certain rodenticides.

HB 2516 places a two-year moratorium (January 2027-December 2028) on the use of anticoagulant rodenticides and rodenticides containing bromethalin, prohibiting their sale and application except for limited emergencies like drinking water protection or disease control. The bill requires the Washington State Academy of Sciences to study rodenticide impacts on wildlife and research safer alternatives, with findings due by December 2028. This directly affects pest control professionals, property managers, and agricultural operations that currently use these chemicals. The moratorium expires June 30, 2029, unless extended by future legislation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans rodenticides harming wildlife and mandates study for safer alternatives, directly protecting ecosystems and advancing conservation goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Wildlife

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2343: Protecting the public from water quality impacts of publicly owned or operated game farms.

HB 2343 requires publicly owned game farms in Washington (like those operated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife) to obtain water quality permits under the state's concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) program, which they currently avoid. It mandates these facilities to implement specific manure pollution prevention plans, groundwater monitoring, and reporting protocols - similar to private farms - when housing over 5,000 game birds. The bill explicitly includes pheasants and similar game birds in CAFO regulations and ensures public facilities meet the same water quality standards as private operations to prevent nitrate contamination of drinking water wells. This aligns public game farm management with existing environmental protections for private agricultural operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates water quality permits, manure pollution plans, and monitoring for public game farms, aligning with CAFO regulations to reduce water pollution and strengthen environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 6241: Enhancing steelhead populations with wild broodstock conservation programs.

SB 6241 requires Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement wild broodstock conservation programs in watersheds with native steelhead populations. It mandates using wild steelhead (collected by volunteers) for hatchery breeding to boost recovery, with specific rules to prevent genetic issues like inbreeding and ensure fish health. The law sets population targets, requires conservation-focused hatchery management plans, and establishes protocols for fish handling, spawning, and predator control. This directly affects steelhead trout recovery efforts across Washington’s watersheds and the state’s fish management practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates wild broodstock conservation programs to boost native steelhead populations, prevents genetic issues, and establishes conservation-focused hatchery management plans, directly advancing natural resource conservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 6272: Concerning the design and operation of buildings to protect birds.

SB 6272 requires Washington buildings to turn off nonessential lighting during April, May, September, and October - peak bird migration months - to reduce collisions caused by light pollution. It also establishes incentives within the state's LEED building certification program to promote bird-safe features like specialized glass that prevents collisions. The law aims to protect Washington's over 500 bird species, which support ecosystems through pollination and habitat engineering, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. These provisions apply to both new and existing buildings and are designed to balance wildlife conservation with energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces energy use via mandatory nonessential lighting curtailment during migration months, aligning with energy efficiency indicators while serving bird protection goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires turning off nonessential lighting during bird migration to reduce collisions, establishes bird-safe building incentives, aims to protect 500+ bird species supporting ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2221: Restoring and sustaining healthy ungulate populations.

HB 2221 requires Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife to take specific actions when mule deer or white-tailed deer populations decline 25% below their 10-year average in areas where gray wolves are not federally protected. The bill mandates predator mitigation - including wolf translocation, targeted removal, or nonlethal measures - within 60 days of designation as "at-risk," continuing until populations meet or exceed 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years. It also requires annual, transparent population surveys conducted with hunters and public reporting of trends, actions, and progress by March 31 each year. The law directly affects rural communities, tribal and nontribal hunters, and wildlife management, aiming to stabilize key ungulate populations that support local economies and recreation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates actions to restore deer populations (natural resource conservation), aligning with environmental protection through wildlife management, not opposing ecosystem balance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2598: Improving statewide coordination in support of anadromous fish recovery.

HB 2598 establishes a Salmon Advisory Commission to improve coordination between Washington state agencies and tribal governments on salmon recovery efforts. The commission will identify gaps in recovery work, review monitoring data, and recommend actions to the governor and legislature. This bill amends existing salmon recovery laws to require state agencies to collaborate through this new body, without reallocating current programs or responsibilities. It directly affects state fish and wildlife agencies, tribal co-managers, and organizations implementing salmon habitat restoration projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Salmon Advisory Commission to coordinate salmon recovery efforts, advancing conservation of natural resources through improved interagency collaboration and data review.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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