WashingtonSpecific funding would let WSU catalog heritage orchards and rare apples
If specifically funded by June 30, 2026, Washington State University must catalog qualifying orchards and rare and lost apple varieties.
What it does
If it receives the required funding, Washington State University must keep a registry of qualifying orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties.
Argument forA statewide registry and apple list could help people find and preserve rare varieties and the orchards where they grow.
Argument againstListing orchard locations could raise privacy concerns for owners whose orchards qualify for the registry.
More detail
Washington State University must establish a heritage orchard program and adopt rules to carry it out. The program covers Washington orchards with at least five apple trees more than 74 years old, or at least one tree of a rare or lost apple variety as defined by the program. The act is null and void unless specific funding for its purposes, identifying it by bill or chapter number, is provided in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2026. The act takes effect June 11, 2026, and is null and void if the required funding is not provided by June 30, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 20Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 20Chapter 119, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 20Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 9President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 6Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#14). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 27Placed on second reading consent calendar.Minor
- Feb 24Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 23HEWD - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 19Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 16First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.Minor
- Feb 12Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#4). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 121st substitute bill substituted (PEW 26).Major
- Feb 10Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 3PEW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.Introduced
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