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WashingtonSB 52122025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning filing of adjudication claims for precode uses of groundwater and surface water in the water resource inventory area 1 water rights adjudication.

Sponsored By: Sharon Shewmake (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Local water claims accepted with priority limits

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law recognizes water-right court claim forms in the Water Resource Inventory Area 1 adjudication, covering Whatcom and Skagit counties. For adjudications filed after June 1, 2023, this form meets the separate statement-of-claim filing requirement. Filing does not automatically establish a water right. The claimed right cannot harm rights existing before July 27, 1997. It ranks behind federal-law rights and water permits or certificates issued before the claim is filed in superior court. It also ranks behind statements of claim filed in the water rights registry before July 27, 1997.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shelly Short

    Republican • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/17/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 318, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

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

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/10/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/26/2025Senate

  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.

    2/17/2025Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/12/2025Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2025Senate

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2025Senate

  20. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/5/2025Senate

  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.

    1/9/2025Senate

Bill Text

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