Concerning a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication.

 H-3351.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2544

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2026 Regular Session

By House Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Waters, Lekanoff, and Nance)

READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.

AN ACT Relating to a pilot process for the upper Columbia water rights adjudication; amending RCW 90.03.110 , 90.03.120 , 90.03.130 , and 90.44.220 ; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 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) Due to the unique nature of the water rights in the upper Columbia river area, the legislature finds that it would create efficiencies and reduce unnecessary costs on water users to phase the general adjudication process to address significant federal and tribal water rights claims prior to engaging other claimants and streamline service of process requirements.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature to establish a pilot process to determine whether there would be an overall benefit to water users throughout the state to modify the procedures for future general adjudications statewide.