Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2238: Statewide food security
Status: Signed into law, March 17, 2026
Concerning statewide food security.
What the bill says
An act Relating to statewide food security; amending RCW 43.23.030; creating new sections; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to statewide food security; amending RCW 43.23.030; creating new sections; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature intends to provide for the development of a strategy for statewide food security in order to end hunger, reduce diet-related health disparities, and increase agricultural viability and supply chain resilience. (2) This section expires July 1, 2028. Sec. 2. RCW 43.23.030 and 1985 c 457 s 15 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The director of agriculture shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties relating to the development of markets, for agricultural products, state and federal cooperative marketing programs, land utilization for agricultural purposes, water resources, transportation, and farm labor as such matters relate to the production, distribution, and sale of agricultural commodities including private sector cultured aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020. (2) The director of agriculture shall exercise all the powers and perform all duties necessary to monitor food system performance and coordinate statewide food security, including working collaboratively with state, local, and federal agencies; tribes; nonprofit organizations; research institutions; and industry experts with roles and responsibilities pertaining to agricultural resilience and food access. When evaluating food system performance, the director shall consider metrics that, at a minimum, relate to monitoring and quantifying regulatory costs imposed by the …
Sponsors
- Kristine Reeves (D) · primary sponsor
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Edwin Obras (D)
- Sharon Santos (D)
- Shaun Scott (D)
- Brianna Thomas (D)
- Monica Stonier (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 83, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : 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): 45 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 23 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 10, 2026): 83 yea, 12 nay, passed
- House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 21, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: AGRICULTURE, AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF
Common questions
- What is HB2238?
- HB2238 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Statewide food security.
- What does HB2238 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to statewide food security; amending RCW 43.23.030; creating new sections; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2238?
- Signed into law as of March 17, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2238?
- Kristine Reeves (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2238?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2238&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.