Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2616: Agriculture
Status: In committee, March 3, 2026
Concerning agriculture.
What the bill says
An act Relating to agriculture; amending RCW 70A.208.020, 70A.65.080, 49.45.030, 69.50.101, 69.50.101, 69.50.325, 69.50.326, 69.50.331, 69.50.334, 69.50.335, 69.50.339, 69.50.342, 69.50.345, 69.50.348, 69.50.351, 69.50.363, 69.50.366, 69.50.372, 69.50.395, 69.50.530, 69.50.540, 69.50.564, 69.50.565, 69.50.580, and 69.50.585; adding a new section to chapter 70A.208 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 70A.60 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 17.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 69.50 RCW; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; providing expiration da.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to agriculture; amending RCW 70A.208.020, 70A.65.080, 49.45.030, 69.50.101, 69.50.101, 69.50.325, 69.50.326, 69.50.331, 69.50.334, 69.50.335, 69.50.339, 69.50.342, 69.50.345, 69.50.348, 69.50.351, 69.50.363, 69.50.366, 69.50.372, 69.50.395, 69.50.530, 69.50.540, 69.50.564, 69.50.565, 69.50.580, and 69.50.585; adding a new section to chapter 70A.208 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 70A.60 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 17.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 69.50 RCW; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; providing expiration dates; and providing a contingent expiration date. PART 1: FOOD SECURITY AND SURPLUS CROP RECOVERY NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. A new section is added to chapter 70A.208 RCW to read as follows: The harvest assistance account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts directed to the account from legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations, must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only to support rapid response to severe weather or market disruptions to harvest. Only the director of the department of agriculture or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. NEW SECTION. Sec. 102. The department of agriculture shall convene the department of enterprise services, the department of corrections, and the office of the …