2025 Legislative Session
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Partnership worked hard in the 2025 State Legislative Session to represent hunters and anglers and the conservation of our fish and wildlife.
The Legislature adjourned on Sunday, April 27th on the last day of the 105-day legislative session. Democrats used their large majorities in the House and Senate to pass a $77.9 billion two-year budget for state government, including more than $4 billion in new spending. The budget was built on $12.5 billion in additional state and local taxes over the next four years, as well as various fee increases.
Below are a few of the issues the Partnership worked on this past year:
Fish and Wildlife Commission (SB 5728) – Because of growing concerns that the Commission was becoming increasingly disconnected from the hunting and fishing community that it regulates and because we were seeing increased instances of WDFW staff science being ignored, 14 members of our partnership introduced SB 5728. This bill included ideas from other states to improve the process of Governor appointments to the Commission and added checks and balances to the system. The result was that Governor Gov. Ferguson rejected Governor Gov. Inslee’s appointments to the Commission and instead appointed three nominees that the sportsmen community generally supports.
Event Fundraising (SB 5443) – Our members have been partnering with the Nonprofit Association of Washington to improve fundraising rules for nonprofit fundraising events in our state. Our first win involved a successful petition to the Washington State Gambling Commission to improve rules related to raffle fundraising efforts. Since then, we have been working with over 40 nonprofit organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs to write SB 5443, which would allow nonprofit events to raise more money through raffles, sweepstakes and bingo with less red tape. We are currently working with Washington Tribes to refine the bill for successful passage next year.
Gun and Ammunition Taxes (HB 1386) – Despite a large state deficit this year, our coalition was able to prevent the passage of the gun tax bill HB 1386. This bill would have created an additional 11% tax on all firearms and ammunition. As we know, guns and ammunition already have a 11% tax – called Pittman Robertson – that hunters created in 1937 to help fund important state conservation and hunter safety needs. Tax proceeds from HB 1386 would not go into conservation and we successfully advocated against this redundant tax.
New Gun Permit Requirements (HB 1163)– This year the Legislature passed a new gun bill HB 1163 requiring a permit to purchase a firearm starting May 2027. The permit, which would last five years, requires live supervised training at a range among other requirements. An amendment was proposed requiring WDFW hunter safety to meet these new requirements so that hunters do not need to take redundant and expensive training. While this amendment did not ultimately pass, it did start a conversation between our Partnership and WDFW on how we can meld the two programs in the future and create fewer barriers to hunters and conservation funding in the future.
Insurance Requirements for Gun Ownership (HB 1504) – WFWCP advocated to prevent the passage of HB 1504, which would have required liability insurance for individuals to purchase or possess a firearm. This requirement, like many of the ideas above, would have created barriers to hunting and firearms ownership and would ultimately lead to fewer hunters and conservation funding in our state.
Firearms and Knives Prohibitions (SB 5098) – Our Partnership also helped prevent the passage of SB 5098, which would have banned firearms and knives in any public areas where youth may be present. Because the language was vague and would have prevented public access to many hunting and shooting areas, including impacts to high school shooting sports, we successfully worked with our partners to stop this bill.
Increase in hunting and fishing license fees (SB 5583) – This bill passed by just one vote in the Senate and will increase recreational hunting and fishing license fees by 38%. Funding from this fee increase will largely replace state general fund dollars that were taken away from WDFW by the Legislature this session. The higher fees will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (HB 2003) – HB 2003 also narrowly passed the Senate. The new fee will take effect on January 1, 2026 and will be $7.50 ($6.00 for youth and seniors). It will be required to fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River basin, but only above Tongue Point. Prior to being approved, the bill was amended to include a two-year sunset clause and require WDFW to submit a report to the legislature justifying its potential continuation. It was also amended to allow these funds to be used for hatchery production and sea lion predation.
Pinniped Legislation (HJM 4004) – Unfortunately, a resolution requesting the U.S. Congress to further amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act to better protect salmon and steelhead populations from predation by sea lions and other pinnipeds failed to advance after receiving a unanimous committee vote. Fortunately, WDFW has funding to continue removing problem pinnipeds in the lower Columbia River. Several groups continue working on expanding this removal program to other parts of the state, including Puget Sound.
Fur Products (HB 1775) – We defeated this bill, which would have banned fur farming and fur products which would have had a direct impact to trapping and fly tying supplies.
