H-0780.1
HOUSE BILL 1588
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Bernbaum, Gregerson, Berg, Parshley, Reeves, Doglio, and Nance
Read first time 01/24/25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to expanding opportunities for organic, regenerative, climate-smart, and sustainable producers; amending RCW 15.86.070 ; adding new sections to chapter 15.86 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that Washington state has the second most diverse agricultural sector in the nation with over 15,000,000 acres of farmland and 300 different crops in production. The state's rich soils, diverse microclimates, and transportation networks support market diversity and the state's diverse agricultural sector is essential to local community resilience and prosperity.
(2) The legislature further finds that global organic sales have grown by 10 to 15 percent annually over the past 15 years and that there is high local consumer demand for organic food. Organic agriculture offers an opportunity for farmers, ranchers, food processors, and other businesses to diversify their operations and participate in higher value markets.