Bert's Apple Orchard participates in local discussion highlighting their cider dummy specialty.

House Bill 2616, described by sponsors as the "agriculturally resilient markets act," cleared its first hearing; it would expand state purchases of Washington-grown food, create emergency farm grants, fund cold-storage upgrades and move cannabis production oversight to the Department of Agriculture.

State and local emergency managers, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and dairy industry representatives told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that December 2025 atmospheric rivers flooded rivers and low-lying farmland across Western Washington, causing infrastructure and crop losses, constraining feed supplies and highlighting gaps in federal aid for small farms.

Proposed classification defines criteria for agricultural land used for diverse farming activities.

Hannah Bernhardt calls for changes to grant criteria benefiting small livestock farmers.

Senate Bill 200 would allow S‑corporation farms and non‑food agricultural operations (for example peony farms and hay for horses) to qualify for municipal farm‑use tax deferments and would clarify included land and reporting requirements; committee discussion focused on eligibility, the $2,500 sales threshold, deferment mechanics, and municipal impacts, and members set amendment deadlines and follow-up tasks.

AB 17 31 would create a Healthy Food Procurement Fund and an approved‑vendor program to help schools buy from local farmers; farmers and school food directors said the measure reduces administrative barriers and supports small farms.

Panel discussed Question 8 and recommended simplified reporting pathways for small or diversified farms, proposing risk-based categories (including a potential separate nursery category) and urging reduced regulatory burden where data show low nitrate risk.

Central Coast presenters described enforcement history, large administrative civil liability (ACL) calculations and a perceived gap between the A–R level protective of water quality and what growers say is agronomically viable. They urged more use of ‘‘soft consequences,’’ incentives and alternative compliance before imposing strict numeric limits.