WA SB5203

Creates the Washington wildlife corridors account and Washington wildlife crossings account in the state treasury to fund habitat protection, land acquisition through voluntary conservation easements, and construction of wildlife crossing structures over and under highways

Directs the Department of Transportation and Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop an integrated strategy implementing the Washington wildlife habitat connectivity action plan, with consultation from tribal governments, federal agencies, and nonprofit partners

Requires biennial joint reports to the legislature beginning in 2026 on account expenditures and progress toward reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation

Mandates updates to the wildlife habitat connectivity action plan every six years, incorporating new science and providing county planning departments with connectivity data for comprehensive plans

Addresses annual wildlife losses of over 5,000 deer, 300 elk, and tens of thousands of other animals to vehicle collisions, costing Washington residents over $74 million per year in damages and medical costs