Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2620: Forest practices rule-making
Status: In committee, February 3, 2026
Restoring collaboration in the forest practices rule-making process for the benefit of long-term protection of natural resources and the forest products industry.
What the bill says
An act Relating to restoring collaboration in the forest practices rule-making process for the benefit of long-term protection of natural resources and the forest products industry; amending RCW 76.09.040 and 76.09.370; adding a new section to chapter 76.09 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to restoring collaboration in the forest practices rule-making process for the benefit of long-term protection of natural resources and the forest products industry; amending RCW 76.09.040 and 76.09.370; adding a new section to chapter 76.09 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) When the legislature enacted the forests and fish law in 1999, it established a balanced, science-based approach to forest management. The adaptive management process was central to that design, ensuring that new forest practice rules would be guided by data, peer review, and collaboration among landowners, agencies, tribes, and environmental interests. That process was meant to protect both salmon habitat and the economic stability of working forests. In good faith, landowners and small forest operators have invested billions of dollars to meet those obligations, under the promise that any further changes would follow the same lawful process. (2) The legislature finds that the adoption of the western Washington type nonfish bearing stream water buffer rule by the forest practices board on November 12, 2025, has demonstrated a serious substantive and procedural deviation from the policies and intent of the adaptive management process and the state administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. (3) The legislature finds that this rule was the result of a process that has distorted the purpose …
Sponsors
- Tom Dent (R) · primary sponsor
- Lawrence Springer (D)
- Jeremie Dufault (R)
- Joe Schmick (R)
- Shaun Scott (D)
- Debra Lekanoff (D)
Latest actions
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.
Subjects: NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF, FORESTS AND FOREST PRODUCTS
Common questions
- What is HB2620?
- HB2620 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Forest practices rule-making.
- What does HB2620 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to restoring collaboration in the forest practices rule-making process for the benefit of long-term protection of natural resources and the forest products industry; amending RCW 76.09.040 and 76.09.370; adding a new section to chapter 76.09 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2620?
- In committee as of February 3, 2026. Latest action: Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 10:30 AM. (February 3, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2620?
- Tom Dent (R), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2620?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2620&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.