Seven ag bills pass one chamber of WA legislature

OLYMPIA — The Washington legislative session ends on April 27, and there are several bills that have passed one chamber of the legislature and are heading to the next that will impact agriculture for Washingtonians. Bills range from fuel exemptions for farmers to promoting agritourism.  

Fuel exemption  

House Bill 1912 addresses the exemption for fuels used for agricultural purposes under the 2021 Climate Commitment Act in Washington State. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake. The legislation establishes tracking and reporting requirements for exempt agricultural fuels to enhance accountability within the supply chain. Effective January 1, 2026, fuel sellers, particularly retail fuel sellers, must register with the Department of Ecology to sell exempt fuels and monitor sales volumes quarterly. Fuel sellers must accept an exemption certificate developed by Ecology and maintain specific reporting protocols to comply with CCA obligations. 

The legislation will give a permanent exemption for fuels used by farm fuel users to transport agricultural products while restoring the temporary exemption for non-farm fuel users transporting these products.  

The legislation is currently in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy and Technology Committee after it passed the house with a 93-4 vote.  

The bill, if passed, will cost around $15,000 a year, for two years for legal services. The Attorney General will bill the Washington Department of Ecology for legal services based on the enactment of this bill. The funds will be used to implement the bill, and the cost will disappear by the end of 2027, according to the fiscal note.  

Sustainable farms compost 

Senate Bill 5391 amends the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program, originally established in 2020 to encourage farmers and ranchers in Washington State to adopt practices that enhance carbon storage in soil and promote precision agriculture. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham.  

This bill modifies the allowable uses of grant funding, alters prioritization criteria, and adjusts timelines for program implementation. Notably, it removes the specific allowance for the purchase of compost spreading equipment while maintaining the broader category of equipment purchases. Additionally, it introduces new criteria to prioritize projects that reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions through energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.  

A requirement for the Washington State Conservation Commission to develop a carbon equivalency metric by July 1, 2024, has also been eliminated. Instead, the Commission is now tasked with establishing this metric prior to implementing upfront payments for carbon storage. The bill passed the senate with a 49-0 vote. The legislation is now heading to the house and has been placed in the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.  

There is no cost associated with the bill.  

Agritourism 

Senate Bill No. 5055 seeks to amend the regulation of agricultural buildings utilized for agritourism activities in Washington state. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.  

The bill stipulates that such buildings are exempt from commercial building permit standards, provided they are employed solely for agritourism purposes for six months or less each year. Proponents argue that the bill fosters innovation in agritourism, helping farms diversify income and introduce the public to agricultural life.  

However, concerns were raised regarding potential ambiguities in the bill’s language, which may allow for restrictive local interpretations and unintended consequences, such as the possibility of non-agricultural uses being permitted. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding the six-month stipulation, as many farms operate year-round.  

The bill passed the Senate with a 48-1 vote. The House has conducted a first reading. There is no cost associated with the bill.  

Dairy inspections 

House Bill 1553 seeks to extend the expiration date of the dairy inspection program in Washington State from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2031. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Adison Richards, D-Gig Harbor.  

This assessment funds the state’s milk inspection program, which is crucial for maintaining compliance with the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, the national standard for milk sanitation. The assessment, capped at 0.0054 cents per hundredweight, is paid by the operator of the first milk processing plant receiving the milk. Processing plants that incur less than $20 in assessments monthly are exempt from payment.

The bill received unanimous support in the House, passing with a vote of 97-0.

Testimony from stakeholders, including the Washington State Dairy Federation and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of continuing inspections to ensure the safety of milk products and the health of dairy cows, which facilitates interstate commerce.  

The bill has been scheduled for its first session in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.  

Pesticide safety 

HB 1294 proposes to extend the Pesticide Application Safety Committee’s expiration date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2035. Sponsored by Dent, this bill is a response to the necessity of ongoing safety oversight in pesticide application.  

The Committee, which includes legislators and agency heads from the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Labor and Industries, and Natural Resources, collaborates with an advisory group composed of industry representatives and health experts. This Committee evaluates and recommends policies for enhancing pesticide application safety, including improved communication, education, technological incentives and best practices. The removal of prior restrictions on in-person meetings for the advisory group further aims to enhance collaboration among stakeholders.  

The bill will cost about $573,000 to implement according to legislative assessments. Money will go to the Department of Health, $546,000; University of Washington, $8,000; Department of Agriculture $118,000; and Washington State University $1,400 to maintain the committee.  

The legislation passed the house unanimously with a 97-0 vote. The bill is now in the Senate and scheduled for a reading in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.  

Turfgrass contracts 

SB 5074 addresses the regulation of contracts relating to turfgrass seed. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick.  

The legislation establishes specific terms and processes for the sale and distribution of turf seed, including provisions requiring that contracts specify payment timelines, seed delivery dates and the types of seed involved. Under the new regulations, payment to producers will generally be due 30 days post-delivery or by May 1 of the following year, unless specified otherwise within the contract. 

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is empowered to oversee compliance, and it may require seed dealers to provide financial assurances for fulfilling contracts. Furthermore, the WSDA can mediate disputes between parties regarding turf seed production contracts and may refuse licenses to non-compliant dealers. The bill aims to protect turfgrass producers by ensuring timely payments and establishing recourse in case of payment disputes. 

Supporters posit that these regulatory measures will promote fair practices and align Washington’s turf seed industry with neighboring states, thereby enhancing market competitiveness. There were no concerns discussed on the bill during hearings.  

The bill passed the Senate unanimously with a 49-0 vote. As of mid-March, the bill was being heard in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee. There are no associated expenses with the bill. 

Sustainable farms

Senate Bill 5391 amends the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program, which was established in Washington State in 2020 to support farmers and ranchers in adopting sustainable practices that enhance carbon storage and promote precision agriculture. The bill was sponsored by Shewmake.  

The bill modifies the allowable uses of grant funding, prioritization criteria and implementation timelines. Specifically, it removes the standalone provision for the purchase of compost spreading equipment while maintaining equipment purchases as an allowable use. Moreover, it introduces criteria to prioritize projects that enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. 

The deadline for the Washington State Conservation Commission to develop a carbon equivalency metric has been eliminated; instead, the Commission is now directed to formulate this metric before implementing upfront payments for carbon storage.  

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate with a vote of 49-0. The bill is now in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. There is no anticipated costs with this bill.  

The 2025 Washington Legislative session ends April 27. Newly-elected Governor Bob Ferguson has until May 20 to take action, sign or veto, bills sent to his office. If he takes no action, bills will be considered passed on July 27 and will go into effect as indicated in the body of the legislation.