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WA HB1631
Bill
Status
Passed
4/16/2025
Primary Sponsor
Greg Nance
Click for details
AI Summary
- Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) forests are designated as the official state marine forest of Washington
- Bull kelp provides critical habitat for marine species including orcas, salmon, rockfish, and pinto abalone, and supports commercial and tribal fisheries
- Bull kelp has declined dramatically throughout south and central Puget Sound, prompting state conservation efforts
- The Department of Natural Resources established a statewide plan in 2023 to conserve and recover at least 10,000 acres of kelp forests and eelgrass meadows by 2040
- The legislation explicitly respects and upholds treaty rights of Indian tribes regarding access to kelp ecosystems
Legislative Description
Establishing the state marine forest.
Last Action
Effective date 7/27/2025.
4/16/2025
Committee Referrals
Rules3/25/2025
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections3/6/2025
Rules2/11/2025
State Government & Tribal Relations1/27/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available