Judy Warnick — The chair explains that they tried to wait for Ranking Member Short but could not reach her, then notes the committee will hear from Senator Gainer so he can move on with his day, with a later reference to Ranking Member Short occurring in the same exchange.
Judy Warnick — The chair confers with Ranking Member Short and, after reaching concurrence, proceeds to close the hearing.
SB5930 — The chair announces the committee will take a staff report on Senate Bill 5930.
SB5930 — Senate Bill 5930 is introduced as a bill relating to irrigation district directors and beneficial interests in contracts. Staff explains that it creates an exception for spouses of irrigation district directors, aligning irrigation districts with other districts that already have similar exemptions. The sponsor describes the bill as straightforward and asks for committee approval. A witness supports the bill, emphasizing that it is simple and that it preserves safeguards, including recusal, disclosure, and restrictions on compensation-related involvement to avoid conflicts of interest. The public hearing on SB 5930 is then closed.
SB6075 — The committee moves to Senate Bill 6075, and staff introduces it as a bill concerning fairness and mitigation requirements. The discussion explains that the bill amends the Habitat Conservation Account, including making it available for grants to landowners and adjusting mitigation-related provisions and thresholds. The public hearing on SB 6075 is then closed after no in-person testimony.
Keith Wagoner — The chair and others discuss Senator Keith Wagoner’s bill, noting that it is intended to help landowners comply with mitigation requirements for permits. The exchange then shifts into light joking about the lack of testimony on his bill despite support sign-ins, followed by several instances where the chair misnames Wagoner as 'Senator Shoemake' while addressing him and thanking him for his comments and sponsorship of the bill.
SB6216 — The committee moved on to Senate Bill 6216, which was introduced as a bill updating timber sale processes and DNR land sales.
SB6216 — Public testimony on the bill was closed after testimony and sign-in counts were noted.
Matt Domit — Matt Domit was introduced as the first public witness and then testified on behalf of the Washington Forest Protection Association, representing Washington’s private forest landowners. He spoke in support of Senate Bill 6216 and continued his testimony on the bill, emphasizing the association’s pro-bill position and the importance of DNR’s timber sale program.
Heath — The chair noted Heath was expected remotely and would be readied to testify.
Erica — The chair called for Erica to come up next.
Shelly Short — Matt Domit addressed Ranking Member Short in his opening remarks.
Shelly Short — Asked about citation volume and the fiscal note implications.
Erica Odom — Erica Odom, deputy director of governmental affairs at the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill and explained that it would help DNR operate more efficiently and effectively, particularly in auctioning timber sales and conducting land transactions.
Heath Heichler — Heath Heichler was called on to testify remotely, identified himself as appearing on behalf of the American Forest Resource Council, and then provided testimony in support of the bill. He emphasized that the bill aligns with existing state law and highlighted provisions in Section 4 regarding appraisal, fair market value, and best-interest requirements for land sales or transfers. He concluded by commending the bill to the committee and expressing his support.
SB6233 — The committee first moved to waive and then suspended the five-day notice rule so it could hear Senate Bill 6233. Staff then briefed the committee on the bill, explaining that it concerns penalties for the sale and unlawful trafficking of covered animal species, including mandatory criminal wildlife penalty assessments. The briefing continued with details that the bill increases those penalty assessments and directs a portion of the revenue to the University of Washington center.
Jeff Olson — Jeff Olson, staff to the committee, presented the staff report on Senate Bill 6233 and then responded to committee questions about the fiscal note and citation data, indicating he could follow up. He was also asked to send an email to the committee on the definition issue, and he explained that the statute appears to rely on plain language rather than a separate definition of trade, noting he would look for any related rules or other statutory guidance.
Ron Muzzall — Asked for the definition and scope of 'trade' under the bill.
Ron Muzzall — Questioned how broadly 'trade' is defined and noted some species may be subject to population control in some areas.
Ron Muzzall — Referenced as having raised similar concerns about the definition of trade.
Ron Muzzall — Asked about the connection between the penalty revenue and the University of Washington center.
unknown remote witness — The chair indicated someone may be signed in to testify on the University of Washington center issue.
Samuel Wasser — Samuel Wasser introduced himself as a University of Washington professor and executive director of the Center for Environmental Forensic Science. He explained that the center develops wildlife forensic methods to help address illegally harvested wildlife and other products under the Lacey Act, including cases where wildlife is taken without a license or illegally harvested in another country. He described the center’s work on the illegal ivory trade in Africa, using genetic methods to extract DNA from ivory to identify poaching hotspots and link transnational criminal organizations to shipments. He also noted that the same techniques apply to wildlife and timber, pointed out that a large share of U.S. timber imports come through Washington at the Sumas border, and said the bill would support the center’s efforts.
Samuel Losser — Likely a transcription error or mistaken name before the witness corrected himself as Samuel Wasser.
SB6233 — The chair announced that testimony on Senate Bill 6233 had ended.
Mari Leavitt — The witness addressed the Vice Chair while the chair closed testimony.