S-4018.1
SENATE BILL 6241
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Senators Braun, Boehnke, Dozier, Hasegawa, Wagoner, and Wellman
Read first time 01/20/26. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to enhancing steelhead populations with wild broodstock conservation programs; adding a new section to chapter 77.105 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that steelhead trout are one of the anadromous fish populations in Washington state that are struggling from weak returns, habitat reduction, and predator pressure. The legislature further finds that salmon and steelhead hatchery production and capacity are being reduced. The legislature further finds that on the other side of the Columbia river, steelhead fisheries in Oregon are stabilizing and ocean returns are increasing in part due to wild broodstock conservation programs. Therefore, the legislature finds that the department of fish and wildlife shall pursue similar programs in Washington to stabilize steelhead populations, implement the goals set forth in chapter 77.110 RCW, and manage steelhead trout in a way to encourage and increase recovery of the steelhead population.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 77.105 RCW to read as follows: