SHB 2199
SignedHouse
Derelict vessels
Reducing impacts from derelict vessels.
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 tightens definitions and expands authority for removing derelict and abandoned vessels from Washington’s waters and shorelines, allowing agencies to act faster to protect public safety and the environment. It also clarifies how costs are recovered and how owners can challenge removals.
- Expands the definition of 'derelict vessel' to include vessels left for 7 consecutive days if they pose immediate risks (e.g., sinking, blocking waterways, endangering life), or have been unregistered for 2 full years.
- Shortens the time threshold for 'abandoned vessel' status from 30/90 days to 30/90 days, and clarifies that 'in the same area' means within a 5-mile radius.
- Empowers authorized public entities (e.g., Department of Natural Resources, ports, cities) to immediately take custody of derelict vessels and dispose of them without further notice to owners, with priority given to environmentally sound and revenue-generating options.
- Requires proceeds from vessel sales to first cover removal, storage, and environmental cleanup costs, then satisfy any liens, with remaining funds deposited into the derelict vessel removal account.
- Streamlines contest procedures for vessel owners: state-level contests go to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (with hearings within 10 business days of request), while local contests follow local rules or default to the same state process.
Who is affected
- Vessel owners (especially those with unregistered or neglected vessels) — Owners of derelict or abandoned vessels may face removal of their vessel without prior notice, potential liability for removal and disposal costs, and loss of property if the vessel is not reclaimed or contested in time.
- Authorized public entities (state agencies, cities, counties, ports, parks) — Local governments and state agencies (e.g., Department of Natural Resources, ports, parks) gain new authority to remove and dispose of derelict vessels and recover costs, while also facing new responsibilities for managing removal efforts.
- General public and marine users — Coastal communities and marine users benefit from reduced environmental risks and navigational hazards caused by derelict vessels, and may see cost savings from improved cleanup efficiency.
- Environmental and salvage service providers — Environmental cleanup contractors and salvage companies may gain opportunities for contracted work in vessel removal and disposal.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
By allowing immediate removal of vessels that are sunk, blocking waterways, or endangering life within 7 days, the bill significantly reduces risks to mariners, swimmers, and coastal residents — especially in high-traffic areas like Puget Sound or the Columbia River.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5)(c)(i)-(iii) and Sec. 2The two-year unregistered vessel threshold and mandatory priority for environmentally sound disposal help prevent long-term pollution from leaking fuel, oils, and hazardous materials — protecting marine habitats, shellfish beds, and drinking water sources.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5)(d) and Sec. 2(3)-(4)The bill empowers local governments (ports, cities, counties, parks) to act swiftly without waiting for slow legal processes, reducing taxpayer liability for long-term cleanup and enabling cost recovery through vessel sales — particularly valuable for cash-strapped coastal municipalities.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1) and Sec. 3(2)(a)The creation of a dedicated derelict vessel removal account ensures that recovered funds are reinvested into future removal efforts, creating a self-sustaining funding mechanism that reduces reliance on general fund appropriations for environmental remediation.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(4) and Fiscal ImpactShortening the abandonment threshold to 30/90 days and clarifying the 5-mile radius helps prevent vessels from becoming hazards in new locations — protecting navigation channels, emergency response routes, and sensitive ecosystems before degradation accelerates.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(b) and Sec. 3(3)(a)-(b)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill allows immediate custody and disposal of vessels without prior notice to owners if they meet the expanded 'derelict' definition (e.g., left 7 days and blocking waterways), effectively bypassing traditional due process protections for property owners before deprivation occurs.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5)(c)(i)-(iii) and Sec. 2While proceeds from vessel sales go first to cover removal and cleanup costs, the bill creates a financial risk for low-income vessel owners who may not be able to afford registration or maintenance — a vessel left unregistered for two full years (even if not intentionally abandoned) can be seized and sold, with owners liable for all costs even if the vessel has negligible value.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)-(4) and Sec. 1(5)(d)The streamlined 10-business-day hearing timeline for state-level contests may disadvantage individual owners who lack legal resources or geographic proximity to the Pollution Control Hearings Board, especially in rural or coastal communities with limited access to legal aid.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a) and (c)The 5-mile 'same area' definition for abandonment and the two-year unregistered threshold may inadvertently penalize owners who temporarily relocate vessels (e.g., for winter storage or repairs) but fail to update registration or documentation — disproportionately affecting low-income recreational boaters who rely on informal arrangements.
HousingLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(b) and Sec. 1(5)(d)The requirement to prioritize revenue-generating uses (e.g., auctioning for scrap) may reduce opportunities for small-scale salvagers or local artisans who might repurpose vessels in ways that support local economies, favoring large-scale scrap dealers instead.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(1)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income vessel owners, especially those with older or lightly used boats, face disproportionate risk of losing property without prior notice due to missed registration renewals or temporary relocations. They may lack resources to contest removals quickly or afford storage fees.
Coastal communities, marina operators, and emergency responders benefit from reduced fire, pollution, and collision risks. Faster removal lowers long-term cleanup costs and protects tourism and fisheries — key economic drivers in many coastal economies.
Local governments gain authority to act without waiting for state intervention, but must absorb initial removal costs before reimbursement. Smaller jurisdictions may struggle with logistics unless they partner with ports or state agencies.
Environmental cleanup and salvage firms may see increased demand for contracted removal services, especially those with expertise in hazardous material abatement. However, the bill’s preference for revenue-generating disposal may favor large scrap dealers over small, local operators.
The Pollution Control Hearings Board gains new caseloads but also a clear statutory timeline. While the 10-day hearing requirement improves responsiveness, it may strain resources if contest requests surge — particularly in high-traffic regions like Puget Sound.