Washington 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 2 R cosponsors

SB 5259 — Encouraging the success of agriculture on agricultural land.

Last action — By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to SB 5259 clarify and expand the focus on preserving agricultural lands and promoting agricultural success in Washington State. Key changes include a stronger emphasis on innovative zoning techniques that support agricultural use while limiting non-agricultural development on suitable lands. This matters because it aims to protect vital agricultural land from being lost to urban sprawl, ensuring that farmers can continue their operations effectively amidst growing urban pressures. Additionally, the bill outlines support for technical and financial assistance to local governments, making it easier for them to create comprehensive plans that benefit agriculture.

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S-1207.2SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5259State of Washington66th Legislature2019 Regular SessionBySenate Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Zeiger, Warnick, Van De Wege, Fortunato, and Takko)READ FIRST TIME 02/01/19.AN ACT Relating to encouraging the success of agriculture on agricultural land;
S-0095.4SENATE BILL 5259State of Washington66th Legislature2019 Regular SessionBySenators Zeiger, Warnick, Van De Wege, Fortunato, and TakkoAN ACT Relating to encouraging the success of agriculture on agricultural land;
and(ii) Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities as long as they are consistent with the size, scale, and intensity of the existing agricultural use of the property and the existing buildings on the site.
and(ii) Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities as long as they are consistent with the size, scale, and intensity of the existing agricultural use of the property and the existing buildings on the site((.
Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities, including new buildings, parking, or supportive uses, shall not ((be located outside the general area already developed for buildings and residential uses and shall not)) otherwise convert more than one acre of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses;
Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities, including new buildings, parking, or supportive uses, shall not be located outside the general area already developed for buildings and residential uses and shall not otherwise convert more than one acre of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses));
and(c) Counties and cities have the authority to limit or exclude accessory uses otherwise authorized in this subsection (3) in areas designated as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance.(4) Other measures that a county or city may use with regard to agricultural lands include, but are not limited to:(a) Consolidating multiple permit requirements to create a more efficient permitting system;(b) Reducing the amount of time required for permit review;(c) Expanding opportunities for county or city employees to provide technical assistance to landowners who request assistance;
and(c) Counties and cities have the authority to limit or exclude accessory uses otherwise authorized in this subsection (3) in areas designated as agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance.(4) Other measures that a county or city may use with regard to agricultural lands include, but are not limited to:(a) Consolidating multiple permit requirements to create a more efficient permitting system;(b) Exempting agricultural lands from requirements a county or city determines to be unnecessary;(c) Reducing the amount of time required for permit review;(d) Expanding opportunities for county or city employees to provide technical assistance to landowners who request assistance;
and(d) Increasing coordination among counties or cities and other agencies to avoid duplication of work during permit review.(5) This section shall not be interpreted to limit agricultural production on designated agricultural lands.
and(e) Increasing coordination among counties or cities and other agencies to avoid duplication of work during permit review.(5) This section shall not be interpreted to limit agricultural production on designated agricultural lands.
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Action History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  3. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 03:30 PM

  4. Referred to Ways & Means.

  5. Referred to Ways & Means.

  6. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 08:00 AM

  7. And refer to Ways & Means.

  8. LGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  9. And refer to Ways & Means.

  10. LGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  11. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 08:00 AM

  12. First reading, referred to Local Government.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Zeiger

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5259?
SB 5259 is sponsored by Zeiger, Judy Warnick (Republican), Phil Fortunato (Republican), Takko, and Van De Wege.
What is the current status of SB 5259?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5259?
Track SB 5259 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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