Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5838: Board of natural resources
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Adding a tribal member to the board of natural resources.
What the bill says
An act Relating to adding tribal representation to the board of natural resources; amending RCW 43.30.205; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to adding tribal representation to the board of natural resources; amending RCW 43.30.205; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that inclusion of tribal members on the board of natural resources will provide crucial perspective and expertise that will be invaluable as it makes decisions that serve the public. Sec. 2. RCW 43.30.205 and 2025 c 94 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The board shall consist of ((six))eight (b) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee from the office of the superintendent of public instruction; (c) The commissioner; (d) The director of the University of Washington school of forest resources; (e) The dean of the Washington State University college of agricultural, human, and natural resource sciences; ((and)) (f) A representative of those counties that contain state forestlands acquired or transferred under RCW 79.22.010, 79.22.040, and 79.22.020; and (g) Tribal representation. (2)(a) The county representative on the board shall be selected by the legislative authorities of those counties that contain state forestlands acquired or transferred under RCW 79.22.010, 79.22.040, and 79.22.020. In the selection of the county representative, each participating county shall have one vote. The Washington state association of counties shall convene a meeting for the purpose of making the selection and shall notify the …
Sponsors
- Claudia Kauffman (D) · primary sponsor
- Rebecca Saldaña (D)
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Jamie Pedersen (D)
- Marcus Riccelli (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 8:00 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Floor amendment
- : 1st substitute bill substituted
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5838 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 2, 2026): 5 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: TRIBES AND TRIBAL MEMBERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
Common questions
- What is SB5838?
- SB5838 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Board of natural resources.
- What does SB5838 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to adding tribal representation to the board of natural resources; amending RCW 43.30.205; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5838?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5838?
- Claudia Kauffman (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5838?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5838&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.