PRIA Logo™
WashingtonSB 51652025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning compensation in frontier counties for deer and elk damage.

Sponsored By: Shelly Short (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Wildlife damage payments for farms

Beginning July 27, 2025, the Department pays eligible farms for deer or elk damage to commercial crops, and for livestock lost to bears, wolves, or cougars. You must be an eligible farmer, complete the Department’s required steps, and meet commission damage rules; claims must meet a minimum loss of at least $500. At least 20% of crop-damage funds go to claims from frontier one counties; a claim counts if any part of the farm is in one of those counties. When funds are short, payments go first to farms with the highest percent loss versus last year’s gross sales or harvest value. You can appeal a denial or amount, but crop-damage appeals are capped at $30,000. Payments are not guaranteed and depend on specific funding; unpaid awards can roll to next year only if the Legislature provides money, and the commission sets spending limits.

Materials and services to prevent damage

Beginning July 27, 2025, the Department can give materials or services to help prevent wildlife damage. Your project must address eligible damage and meet commission criteria, and you must apply as the rules require.

Help for non-crop property damage

Beginning July 27, 2025, the Department may pay for wildlife damage to non-crop property on a case-by-case basis. You must complete the Department’s required steps and meet the commission’s damage and filing rules. These payments happen only when nonstate funds, noncash resources, or specific appropriations are available.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shelly Short

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Judy Warnick

    Republican • Senate

  • Keith Wagoner

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/30/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 185, 2025 Laws.

    4/30/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/30/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  10. APP - Majority; do pass.

    4/8/2025Senate

  11. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/8/2025Senate

  12. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/25/2025Senate

  14. AGNR - Majority; do pass.

    3/21/2025Senate

  15. AGNR - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/21/2025Senate

  16. First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.

    2/24/2025Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/19/2025Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/19/2025Senate

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/19/2025Senate

  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2025Senate

  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/3/2025Senate

  22. ANR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/30/2025Senate

  23. First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.

    1/13/2025Senate

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation