Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2544: Upper Columbia water rights
Status: In committee, February 19, 2026
Concerning a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication.
What the bill says
An act Relating to a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication; amending RCW 90.03.110, 90.03.120, 90.03.130, and 90.44.220; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication; amending RCW 90.03.110, 90.03.120, 90.03.130, and 90.44.220; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Due to the unique nature of the water rights in the upper Columbia river area, the legislature finds that it would create efficiencies and reduce unnecessary costs on water users to phase the general adjudication process to address significant federal and tribal water rights claims prior to engaging other claimants and streamline service of process requirements. (2) It is the intent of the legislature to establish a pilot process to determine whether there would be an overall benefit to water users throughout the state to modify the procedures for future general adjudications statewide. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows: (1) The department is authorized to and shall initiate a general adjudication of the upper Columbia river in accordance with this section. When initiated, the provisions under RCW 90.03.110 through 90.03.130, and 90.44.220 do not apply to this adjudication. (2) The department may initiate the general adjudication of the upper Columbia river area by filing in the superior court of Stevens county a report containing the and …
Sponsors
- Lawrence Springer (D) · primary sponsor
- Kevin Waters (R)
- Debra Lekanoff (D)
- Greg Nance (D)
Latest actions
- : House Rules "X" file.
- : Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : Minority; do not pass.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : AGNR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action 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.
Votes
- House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: WATER AND WATER RIGHTS
Common questions
- What is HB2544?
- HB2544 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Upper Columbia water rights.
- What does HB2544 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication; amending RCW 90.03.110, 90.03.120, 90.03.130, and 90.44.220; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2544?
- In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: House Rules "X" file. (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2544?
- Lawrence Springer (D), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2544?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2544&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.