Bill > SB5851

This bill provides a mechanism for vessel owners to voluntarily donate $1 or more during vessel registration to support salmon preservation efforts by managing pinniped (sea lion) populations in the lower Columbia River area. The bill creates a new sea lion predation control account in the state treasury, where all voluntary donations will be deposited. These funds can only be used for activities related to preserving salmon levels through management and control of sea lions, and cannot replace existing funding for pinniped management. When registering a vessel, the department, county auditor, or other agent must provide an opportunity for vessel owners to make this voluntary donation. The bill also makes technical amendments to existing state laws regarding the distribution of treasury income account earnings, specifically adding the new sea lion predation control account to the list of accounts that receive proportionate earnings. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with certain sections having specific expiration dates tied to other legislative timelines.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5851&Year=2025&Initiative=false