Bill > SB5804

This bill addresses fish habitat restoration in response to a federal court injunction by creating a comprehensive funding mechanism through special tax revenue bonds and a new utility tax. The legislature recognizes that habitat loss is a critical threat to salmon and steelhead populations, and that a federal court has found the state has a treaty-based duty to remove fish passage barriers at road culverts. To fund the estimated $5 billion in required habitat restoration, the bill introduces a new 2.01053 percent tax on light and power utility businesses, which will generate revenue specifically for salmon habitat restoration projects. The tax will be used to issue special tax revenue bonds that can only be repaid using this dedicated revenue stream, ensuring no additional burden on taxpayers. The bill modifies existing tax code provisions, creates new accounts for bond retirement and habitat restoration, and specifies that the bonds are not a general obligation of the state. The bonds are structured to be fully paid off by December 31, 2075, and can only be used for fish habitat restoration projects identified in response to the federal court injunction, with a focus on maximizing impacts to salmon and steelhead populations.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5804&Year=2025&Initiative=false