S-2675.2
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5804
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senate Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Trudeau, Kauffman, Schoesler, Chapman, Dozier, Liias, and Pedersen)
READ FIRST TIME 04/08/25.
AN ACT Relating to fish habitat restoration in response to the federal court injunction and supported by changes to the state tax structure and authorization of bonds; amending RCW 82.16.020 , 82.18.040 , and 82.45.230 ; reenacting and amending RCW 43.155.050 ; adding a new section to chapter 82.16 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing a contingent expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that habitat loss, both in quantity and quality, has been identified as one of the greatest risks to survival for salmon and steelhead populations. Hydropower dams and unpassable road culverts block large areas of former salmon habitat. Restoration of habitat is essential for the recovery of salmon and steelhead populations across the west coast and an obligation of the state under the federal injunction issued in United States v. Washington .
The federal court found that the state has a treaty-based duty to refrain from building or operating culverts under state-maintained roads that hinder salmon passage. The cost of reparations is estimated to exceed $5,000,000,000, which cannot be absorbed in current budgets.