Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2525: Heritage orchard program
Status: Signed into law, March 20, 2026
Establishing the heritage orchard program.
What the bill says
An act Relating to establishing the heritage orchard program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to establishing the heritage orchard program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the apple is intertwined with the history of Washington and the United States. American propagation of apples began as early as the 1600s and by 1900, there were approximately 20,000 known varieties of apples across North America. (2) The legislature further finds and (b) Dedicated Washingtonians have discovered at least 29 varieties of apples previously thought to be extinct. Such "lost apples" are often located in small orchards originally planted on homesteads or other family farms. (3) It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to create a heritage orchard program to support the conservation of rare apple varieties and to preserve this element of Washington's history. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows: Washington State University shall establish a heritage orchard program and adopt rules to implement this section. (1) At minimum, the heritage orchard program and (b) Develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties. (2) For the purposes of this section, "heritage orchard" or (b) At least one tree of a rare or lost apple variety, as defined by the heritage orchard program. NEW …
Sponsors
- Gloria Mendoza (R) · primary sponsor
- Lawrence Springer (D)
- Chris Corry (R)
- Jeremie Dufault (R)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- John Ley (R)
- Alex Ybarra (R)
- Adam Bernbaum (D)
- Rob Chase (R)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Deb Manjarrez (R)
- Stephanie Barnard (R)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 119, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading consent calendar.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2026): 47 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development: Do pass (February 23, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: AGRICULTURE, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Common questions
- What is HB2525?
- HB2525 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Heritage orchard program.
- What does HB2525 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to establishing the heritage orchard program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; and creating new sections. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2525?
- Signed into law as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2525?
- Gloria Mendoza (R), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2525?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2525&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.