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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)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Rules for historic water use claims

You can file a claim after the Pollution Control Hearings Board certifies it. The board certifies only if use was continuous with no gap over five years. For surface water, use must have started by June 7, 1917. For groundwater, use must have started by June 7, 1945. The board also certifies continuous use shown by a court decree when a past registration mistake was reasonable. Petitions had to be filed by September 1, 1985. Ecology must accept certified claims and can assist the board. Certification or filing does not prove a water right. RCW 90.14.071 does not apply to these certified claims. These rules do not apply to groundwater from reclamation projects.

Simpler WRIA 1 claims, junior priority

For WRIA 1 adjudications filed after June 1, 2023, your adjudication claim form also counts as the RCW 90.14.041 statement of claim. You do not need to file twice. A claim under this subsection does not change any right that existed before July 27, 1997. Your claim is junior to earlier state permits or certificates, registry claims filed before July 27, 1997, and any right based on federal law.

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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