As we move forward this year, our priorities are getting Streamflow Restoration Plans approved and getting water restoration and mitigation projects in these plans funded. We are also working to help get the adjudications of the Nooksack and Colville watersheds started and working with Ecology to restart instream flow setting for unprotected watersheds.
This legislative session, we are tracking bills, lobbying, and providing you with all the information you need to contact your representatives to urge them to protect our waters.
Water Lobby Week
When: March 1st- March 5th
Thank you to our volunteers and everyone who used their voice to protect our waters!
Partners: RE Sources, North Sound Baykeeper, Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT), Spokane Riverkeeper, Twin Harbors Waterkeeper, and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
We will keep this page updated as the bills move through both chambers.
Priority Bills:
Nooksack River adjudication funding (SB 5092)- PASSED LEGISLATURE
Passed with the Governor’s language, which we supported, for starting the adjudication process in the Nooksack River Basin, WRIA 1, and in WRIA 58, Lake Roosevelt and middle tributaries. Included is also separate funding for negotiation in Whatcom county.
PASSED THE SENATE Apr 1 1st substitute bill substituted (WM 21).(View 1st Substitute) Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 27; nays, 22; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View 1st Engrossed)(View Roll Calls)
PASSED THE HOUSE Apr 2 Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar. Apr 3Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls)
Apr 25 Conference committee report adopted. Passed final passage as recommended by conference committee; yeas, 27; nays, 22; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls) Senate President signed. House Speaker signed.
Learn more about Adjudications and why the Nooksack needs one
Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Recycling (SSB 5022) -PASSED LEGISLATURE. ON THE GOVERNOR’S DESK
Status: PASSED THE SENATE Mar 2 Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View 1st Engrossed) (View Roll Calls).
PASSED THE HOUSE Apr 7 Committee amendment not adopted. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 73; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View Roll Calls)
Apr 19 Senate concurred in House amendments. Passed final passage; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls) Apr 21 Senate President signed.
Apr 26 Delivered to Governor. (View Bill as Passed Legislature)
Preventing incredibly damaging seabed mining (SB 5145)– SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Status: PASSED THE SENATE. Mar 4 Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls)
In the HOUSE Mar 24 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources at 10:00 AM. (Committee Materials)RDAN – Majority; do pass. (Majority Report)
Apr 11 Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls)
Apr 15 Senate President signed. Apr 20 House Speaker signed.
Apr 23 Delivered to Governor.
May 3 Governor signed. Chapter 181, 2021 Laws. (View Session Law) Effective date 7/25/2021.
Learn more about seabed mining and why we need to prevent it
Water Re-use (HB 1184)– SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Status: PASSED THE HOUSE Feb 24 1st substitute bill substituted (LG 21).(View 1st Substitute)Floor amendment(s) adopted.Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View 1st Engrossed)(View Roll Calls)
PASSED THE SENATE Apr 3 Floor amendment(s) adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2. (View Roll Calls)
Apr 14 House Speaker signed. Apr 19 Senate President signed.
Apr 20 Delivered to Governor.
May 3 Governor signed. Chapter 156, 2021 Laws. (View Session Law) Effective date 7/25/2021.
Learn more about water reuse “greywater” and ESHB1184
Resources to learn about the legislative session:
Accessing the Legislature Remotely
Find your legislative district
Find and contact your Representatives
CELP’s Bill Tracker
Replacing the Marcus Whitman statue in the national statuary hall collection with a statue of Billy Frank Jr.– HB 1372 — SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
CELP Position: Support. Billy Frank Jr. was a hero for natural resources, treaty and fishing rights, tribal communities, and us all.
Status: PASSED THE HOUSE. Mar 8 1st substitute bill substituted (SGOV 21).(View 1st Substitute) Floor amendment(s) adopted.Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View 1st Engrossed)(View Roll Calls).
PASSED THE SENATE Apr 5 Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View Roll Calls)
Apr 7 House Speaker signed. Apr 9 Senate President signed.
OTHER THAN LEGISLATIVE ACTION Apr 13Delivered to Governor. Apr 14Governor signed. Chapter 20, 2021 Laws. (View Session Law) Effective date 7/25/2021.Chapter 20, 2021 Laws. (View Session Law) Effective date 7/25/2021.
How to Contact your Representatives: Find and contact your legislators here.