2026 State Legislative Conservation Summary

Short-Term Fixes, Long-Term Consequences for Washington’s Environment to Close Out the Biennium

Conservation Northwest sincerely thanks our members, partners, and advocates who showed up, spoke out, and stayed engaged throughout the 2026 legislative session! Your voices continue to shape what’s possible for wildlife, communities, and the landscapes we all care about. 

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Washington’s 2026 Legislative Session was short, limiting opportunities for major wins but still advancing important conversations and incremental progress. While fewer bills crossed the finish line, the session offered a clear window into the challenges and opportunities ahead. At its core this was a period of transition, as funding gaps and competing priorities continue to shape what is possible. For those of us working on the ground to protect habitat, restore ecosystems, and connect wildlife corridors, these decisions have real, immediate impacts. 

Budget

Amid a significant state budget shortfall, climate and environmental funding faced increased pressure during the legislative session. Most notably, Governor Bob Ferguson and the Legislature adopted a budget that redirects Climate Commitment Act (CCA) dollars to backfill bond funding for natural resources. While this may help stabilize short-term funding gaps, it diverts resources away from their intended purpose: investing directly in climate solutions, community resilience, and habitat restoration projects happening across the state. 

While the budget assumes repayment in the 2027–29 biennium, this shift raises concerns about whether those funds will ultimately be restored. For organizations like Conservation Northwest, this uncertainty affects our ability to plan and scale on-the-ground work—from forest restoration to wildfire management to wildlife crossings—that depend on consistent, dedicated funding. The environmental community will continue to push for full repayment to ensure Washington stays on track to meet its climate goals. 

Wildlife Safe Passage

One of Conservation Northwest’s top priorities for the session was  Senate Bill 5203, ensuring connectivity for Washington wildlife through safe passage. The bill would have created two accounts to receive private and public funding – one for WSDOT crossing infrastructure, and one for WDFW corridor restoration. It would also support the state agencies’ implementation of the Habitat Connectivity Action Plan.  

The Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan (WAHCAP) was directed by the legislature and completed in 2025. It lays out a science-based roadmap for reconnecting fragmented landscapes, which is work that is essential for species survival as climate change and development continue to alter habitats. 

While SB 5203 passed the Senate, and advanced in the House, it did not reach the finish line before end of session. Even so, it elevated the importance of habitat connectivity and safe wildlife passage across Washington. Each conversation, hearing, and vote helped build momentum for future action and brought greater visibility to the urgent need for wildlife to move safely across highways and through increasingly fragmented landscapes. Conservation Northwest will continue working to advance solutions that protect the interconnected landscapes wildlife and communities depend on. 

Wildlife Resilience Funding

Wildfire remained a significant concern, with lawmakers advancing efforts to strengthen prevention, coordination, and long-term planning. While wildfire is a natural part of the Pacific Northwest, the growing frequency and severity of large fires is not, and recent budget cuts threaten to undermine progress just as risks grow. 

For communities across Washington, and for the forests and wildlife we work to protect, this means increased degraded habitat, long-term ecosystem damage, and threats to homes. 

A notable win was the restoration of $60 million for wildfire response and resilience, helping sustain critical work to improve forest health, support firefighters, and prepare communities. These investments directly support efforts like forest thinning, prescribed fire, and community preparedness, which are tools that are essential for building resilience in the face of a changing climate. 

Clean Energy, Data Centers, Environmental Protection and Affordability 

As energy demand grows, the session also brought progress on how Washington plans and builds its clean energy future—recognizing that it is not just about energy generation, but also transmission, permitting reform, siting, and community impacts. 

These decisions shape not only how energy is produced, but where infrastructure is built that directly affects wildlife habitat, rural communities, and working lands across the state. 

Lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 6076 to streamline procurement requirements for consumer-owned utilities, helping accelerate investments in clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure as demand rises. House Bill 1960 was passed to restructure how renewable energy projects are taxed and funded, creating new incentives and revenue for local communities while supporting large-scale development. 

A major structural modernization came with Senate Bill 6355, which establishes a Washington Electric Transmission Authority to expand and coordinate the state’s transmission system, a new solution for unlocking clean energy projects, reducing grid congestion, and improving reliability while incorporating Tribal partnerships and statewide planning for future transmission demands. 

The rapid expansion of data centers also emerged as a key issue. House Bill 2515 aimed to ensure large energy users, known as data centers, pay the full cost of their energy demand, increase transparency around water and energy use, and support low-income households through targeted fees. Without safeguards, data centers can strain the grid, raise costs for ratepayers, and impact air, water, and habitat.  

While it did not pass, reintroduction next session will continue to help highlight the need for policies that protect ratepayers, safeguard natural resources, and maximize community benefits as demand grows. For Conservation Northwest, this includes ensuring that growth in energy infrastructure does not come at the expense of critical wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity. 

House Bill 2496 strengthened Tribal engagement in the energy siting process by requiring earlier, more robust consultation between the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council and federally recognized Tribes. The bill also ensures Tribes have greater opportunity to review and shape how their input is reflected before project decisions are finalized, marking an important step toward earlier, more meaningful consultation and more equitable decision-making. 

Sustainable Forestry

Building on recent sustainable harvesting momentum, discussions around House Bill 2170 signaled growing interest in managing forests for carbon storage and ecosystem benefits alongside timber production. While the bill did not advance, it reflects an ongoing shift toward climate-smart forest management.  

This approach aligns closely with our work restoring forest health, improving habitat, and increasing carbon storage. These conversations signal a broader recognition that forests are not just economic resources but essential climate and biodiversity solutions. 

Rodenticides

The Legislature also held a public hearing on House Bill 2516, which intended to place a moratorium on the use of certain rodenticides, particularly anticoagulants and bromethalin-based chemicals. This bill reflected increasing awareness of the impacts these poisons have on wildlife, ecosystems, and even pets.  

From raptors to carnivores, these toxic substances move through the food chain, causing preventable harm to species we work to protect. The Legislature must acknowledge the need for safer, more responsible pest management solutions. 

From forest carbon to wildlife connectivity and clean energy, the 2026 session advanced the policies and conversations shaping Washington’s future. With thoughtful, forward-looking approaches, the state can protect climate goals, safeguard communities, and maximize public benefits while supporting innovation. Continued progress will depend on strong advocacy, collaboration, and a shared commitment to protecting the Northwest’s lands, waters, and communities. By embracing collaborative strategies and advocating for improved policy, we will continue to advance our mission to protect, connect, and restore habitats and wildlife. 

Your engagement, advocacy, and commitment make this legislative work possible. Whether it’s speaking up for wildlife crossings, supporting climate-smart policies, or helping steward the landscapes we all depend on, you are an essential part of this progress. To our members and supporters—thank you.

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