HB 2131
In CommitteeHouse
Sea lion predation donations
Providing for voluntary donations to the sea lion predation control account at the time of vessel registration for the purpose of salmon level preservation.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill allows vessel owners in Washington to voluntarily donate $1 or more during vessel registration to support salmon preservation by funding the management of sea lion and other pinniped populations in the lower Columbia River. It creates a new sea lion predation control account to hold these donations and adds it to the list of accounts that receive a share of state investment earnings.
- Creates a new voluntary donation option during vessel registration (initial or renewal), allowing owners to donate $1 or more in whole-dollar increments for salmon preservation.
- Establishes the sea lion predation control account in the state treasury to receive all donations, with funds usable only for managing pinniped (e.g., sea lion) populations in the lower Columbia River to protect salmon.
- Requires that funds from the account may be spent only after legislative appropriation and may not replace existing funding for pinniped management by the Department of Fish and Wildlife or other agencies.
- Adds the sea lion predation control account to the list of accounts that receive a share of state treasury investment earnings, based on average daily balance.
- Includes sunset and contingent effective dates for various sections of the bill, with most provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026, and expiration dates ranging from July 1, 2028, to January 1, 2029—or tied to the expiration of another law (RCW 74.76.040).
Who is affected
- Vessel owners — Vessel owners in Washington State who register or renew their vessels will be offered the chance to make a voluntary donation of $1 or more (in whole-dollar increments) during the registration process.
- Salmon and other fish species — Salmon populations in the lower Columbia River may benefit if donations increase funding for pinniped (e.g., sea lion) management, which is intended to reduce predation on salmon.
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife may use donated funds—subject to appropriation—for managing pinniped populations in the lower Columbia River to protect salmon, but only to supplement—not replace—existing funding.
- State treasury accounts and funds — State agencies managing other accounts in the state treasury will receive a proportionate share of investment earnings based on their average daily balances, including the newly created sea lion predation control account.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The voluntary donation option may increase public engagement and awareness about salmon conservation and sea lion predation, potentially building broader support for future salmon recovery efforts—even if the direct ecological impact is modest.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(2), Sec. 2If donations materialize and are used effectively, the program could modestly reduce sea lion predation on endangered salmon runs in the lower Columbia River, supporting recovery of culturally and economically important fish stocks.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(2), Sec. 2The program creates a new funding stream that could support contracted pinniped management activities, potentially benefiting local contractors, biologists, and field staff involved in monitoring and management—though this is likely a small and indirect effect.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2The voluntary nature of the donation preserves individual autonomy—vessel owners can decline to contribute, and the bill explicitly prohibits coercion, aligning with principles of informed participation in conservation.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(2)By creating a dedicated account, the bill ensures transparency and traceability of donated funds, allowing the public to see how contributions are used—this enhances accountability and trust in conservation spending.
EnvironmentRef: Sec. 2
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill adds administrative complexity by creating a new dedicated account and requiring separate tracking of donations and legislative appropriation, which may increase costs for the Department of Licensing and Department of Fish and Wildlife without clear efficiency gains.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2The bill’s restriction that donated funds may not supplant existing funding could reduce agency flexibility and may not lead to net new pinniped management capacity if agencies rely on shifting resources rather than expanding efforts.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2The effectiveness of the donation program in reducing sea lion predation on salmon is highly uncertain—existing pinniped management is already limited by federal law (Marine Mammal Protection Act), and voluntary donations are unlikely to significantly alter federal management decisions or outcomes for salmon populations.
EnvironmentRef: Sec. 1(2), Sec. 2Adding the sea lion predation control account to the list of accounts receiving investment earnings increases administrative burden on the state treasurer’s office and may dilute earnings slightly for other accounts with small balances, though the fiscal impact is negligible per the bill’s own fiscal note.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3–8 (repeated amendments to RCW 43.84.092)The complex sunset and contingent effective dates (tied to RCW 74.76.040, which concerns the state’s participation in the Uniform Trust Code) create uncertainty about the program’s longevity and may hinder long-term planning by agencies and stakeholders.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 9–10 (sunset and contingent effective dates)
Who Is Most Affected
Vessel owners face no mandatory cost, but may feel social pressure to donate during registration; the benefit is primarily symbolic or reputational. Low-income vessel owners may decline due to budget constraints, but no penalty applies.
Salmon populations—especially endangered Southern Resident Chinook—may benefit if donations fund additional pinniped management, but federal protections limit what Washington can do. The ecological impact is highly uncertain and likely small.
WDFW gains a new funding source but is legally prohibited from using these funds to replace existing appropriations—so net new capacity depends on legislative goodwill and annual appropriation. The agency may benefit administratively from increased public interest in salmon recovery.
State investment managers gain a new account to track and allocate earnings, slightly increasing administrative overhead. The account’s size is expected to be small, so its impact on overall investment returns is negligible.
Local governments and contractors may see minor opportunities for participation in pinniped management (e.g., field support, data collection), but the bill does not prioritize local hiring or set-aside funding, so benefits are likely minimal.