Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2104: Aviation assurance funding
Status: Signed into law, March 20, 2026
Concerning aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires.
What the bill says
An act Relating to aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires; amending 2023 c 457 s 1 (uncodified); and repealing 2023 c 457 s 5 (uncodified).
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires; amending 2023 c 457 s 1 (uncodified); and repealing 2023 c 457 s 5 (uncodified). Sec. 1. 2023 c 457 s 1 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows: (1) Local and tribal fire departments in the state of Washington serve as frontline responders to wildland fires. The fire chief of each local fire department with jurisdiction over wildland fires is tasked with making rapid decisions, especially during the summer months when weather conditions can cause fires to rapidly enlarge. Flashy fuels, especially during times of low humidity, can be ignited by a single spark and erupt into a rapidly moving incident that can quickly destroy rangelands, ripe dryland crops, and timberlands. (2) Local fire departments need immediate access to local aviation resources that are certified to fly and drop fire retardants and water to suppress or extinguish wildland fires quickly. The use of aviation assets has proven to be a valuable tool to prevent many wildland fires from growing large and requiring the response of state mobilization and prevent the deployment of state and federal fire agencies and their mobilization partner agencies. (3) Further, the strategic use of aviation assets in initial attack, or at times when conditions on the ground may warrant additional air support, can …
Sponsors
- Tom Dent (R) · primary sponsor
- Lawrence Springer (D)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Andrew Engell (R)
- Sam Low (R)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Adison Richards (D)
- Stephanie Barnard (R)
- Michael Keaton (R)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Mary Dye (R)
- Kristine Reeves (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 117, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources: Do pass (February 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 13, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass (February 9, 2026): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources: Do pass (February 3, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: FIRE PROTECTION
Common questions
- What is HB2104?
- HB2104 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Aviation assurance funding.
- What does HB2104 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires; amending 2023 c 457 s 1 (uncodified); and repealing 2023 c 457 s 5 (uncodified).
- What is the status of HB2104?
- Signed into law as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2104?
- Tom Dent (R), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2104?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2104&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.