Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6090: Heritage orchard program
Status: In committee, January 23, 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 a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to establishing the heritage orchard program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; and creating a new section. 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: (1) Washington State University shall establish a heritage orchard program. At minimum, the heritage orchard program (b) Provide resources to preserve heritage orchards; (c) Propagate rare and lost apple cultivars for backyard and commercial production; and (d) 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 …
Sponsors
- John Braun (R) · primary sponsor
- Steven Conway (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- Mark Schoesler (R)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
- Lisa Wellman (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Ways & Means.
- : And refer to Ways & Means.
- : HEWD - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.
Votes
- Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development: Do pass (January 22, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: AGRICULTURE, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Common questions
- What is SB6090?
- SB6090 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Heritage orchard program.
- What does SB6090 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 a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6090?
- In committee as of January 23, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means. (January 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB6090?
- John Braun (R), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6090?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6090&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.