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WashingtonSB 52812025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Changing the vessel length requirement in obtaining nonresident vessel permits.

Sponsored By: Mike Chapman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Nonresident boats must follow whale safeguards

Beginning September 1, 2025, boats using nonresident permits must follow Washington's quiet sound program. They must also follow the Department of Fish and Wildlife's safe-distance guidelines for whales. These whale safeguards end January 1, 2029.

Large boat fees fund youth swimming

Beginning September 1, 2025, nonresident entities pay permit fees for boats 201 through 300 feet long. Until May 1, 2026, these boats are processed as 200-foot boats and charged $7,500. Starting May 1, 2026, the fee is $100 per foot of extreme length, rounded up to a whole foot. Revenue from this fee tier goes to Washington's Recreation and Conservation Office for youth swim-lesson grants in overburdened communities. This fee provision ends January 1, 2029.

Longer nonresident boats qualify with limits

Beginning September 1, 2025, the law expands nonresident permit access to boats from 30 through 300 feet long. This covers nonresident entities and nonresident individuals planning to charter with a captain or crew. No Washington resident can own the boat or be a principal of the entity that owns it. These owners need written approval from the Department of Revenue. This expanded access ends January 1, 2029.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Curtis King

    Republican • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 142 • No: 3

House vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/19/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 9/1/2025.

    5/12/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 244, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025Senate

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

    4/14/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  11. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/4/2025Senate

  12. TR - Majority; do pass.

    4/4/2025Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    2/24/2025Senate

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

    2/19/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/19/2025Senate

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/19/2025Senate

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/19/2025Senate

  18. Placed on second reading.

    2/17/2025Senate

  19. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/12/2025Senate

  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/7/2025Senate

  21. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/6/2025Senate

  22. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    1/15/2025Senate

  23. Introduced

    1/15/2025Senate

Bill Text

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