The 2023 Washington legislative session wrapped up on the evening of Sunday, April 23 and looking at the session from Wild Steelheaders United and Trout Unlimited’s perspective, it was a very productive year.
Washington Governor signs critical funding for Snake and Columbia Basins
Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills that will fund studies required in the process to remove the four Lower Snake River dams.
Take Action to Reduce Harvest Impacts on Columbia River Steelhead
On Thursday, February 2, the Washington State Legislature will have its first hearing on SB 5297, the bill to limit non-tribal commercial gillnetting in the Columbia River mainstem.
Steelhead Conservation in Washington’s 2023 Legislative Session
Last week, the Washington State Legislature kicked off its 2023 legislative session. A few priorities this year that we will be working on include an important policy bill, and several funding items important to steelhead management and recovery.
Legislation Introduced to Remove Non-Tribal Gillnets from the Lower Columbia Mainstem
Kicking off the start of the 2023 Washington Legislative session, Senator Van De Wege (D-24) has introduced a new piece of legislation at the request of Governor Inslee that would permanently remove non-tribal commercial gillnet fisheries from the Washington side of the Lower Columbia River.
The 2022 Washington state legislative wrap-up: What’s in it for steelhead?
March 10 marked the end of the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session. For a short session, it was a remarkably busy non-budget year in which several important issues on steelhead were decided.
January Legislative Update: Washington
In January, the Washington legislature commenced a “short session” that will end on March 10. We are tracking a variety of bills during the 2022 session that relate to wild steelhead issues.
Governor Inslee uses veto power to strike down voluntary Columbia gillnet license buyback program
Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee took two actions over the past week that represent steps backward in steelhead and salmon conservation.