SSB 5322
In CommitteeSenate
Burrowing shrimp
Addressing the impacts of burrowing shrimp on bottom culture shellfish farming through integrated pest management research.
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 creates a research program to find new ways to control burrowing shrimp, an invasive species that damages shellfish farms and harms eelgrass habitat in coastal estuaries. After the loss of two key pesticides (carbaryl and imidacloprid), the bill establishes a $2 million biennial program to fund research and coordinate efforts among scientists, farmers, and state agencies.
- Establishes a new burrowing shrimp integrated pest management research program within the Washington state department of agriculture, focused on finding safe, effective ways to control burrowing shrimp in bottom-culture shellfish farms.
- Creates a governing board with representatives from state agencies, shellfish growers, processors, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, and environmental science organizations to oversee research proposals and spending.
- Requires the program to fund research only in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, and only for control methods that have not been proven ineffective in prior studies.
- Creates a dedicated burrowing shrimp research account in the state treasury, funded with $2 million per biennium from the model toxics control account, with expenditures authorized by the agriculture department director only.
- Reenacts and amends RCW 43.79A.040 to include the new account in the list of trust funds that receive investment earnings, ensuring the account can earn interest like other state funds.
Who is affected
- Shellfish farmers — Shellfish farmers in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor are directly impacted, as burrowing shrimp damage their growing areas, reduce productivity, and threaten operations due to lack of effective pest control tools.
- Shellfish processors — Shellfish processors in the affected regions may face supply shortages or increased costs due to reduced shellfish yields from infested farms.
- Tribal nations and fishing communities — Tribal communities like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe rely on healthy estuaries for cultural, subsistence, and economic purposes; burrowing shrimp harm eelgrass beds that support salmon and Dungeness crab, key species for tribal fisheries.
- State agencies — State agencies—including Agriculture, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Commerce—must participate in the new governing board and implement research and permitting support.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The bill funds research to control burrowing shrimp, an invasive species that damages eelgrass beds—critical habitat for salmon and Dungeness crab—thereby supporting ecosystem resilience and protecting forage fish and juvenile salmon. This directly benefits marine biodiversity and fisheries-dependent communities.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a), Sec. 4Shellfish farmers in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor (many of whom are small-scale, family-run operations) face existential threats from unchecked shrimp infestations; the program provides targeted research and permitting assistance to help them maintain viable operations and avoid job losses in a region where shellfishing is a primary economic engine.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 3(b)-(c), Sec. 3(f)The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is explicitly included on the governing board and has a direct stake in protecting eelgrass-dependent species like salmon and Dungeness crab, which are central to the Tribe’s treaty-reserved fishing rights, cultural practices, and food sovereignty. The bill affirms tribal sovereignty and co-stewardship in resource management.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 3(d), Sec. 2(2)(d)By funding research into safe, non-toxic control methods (e.g., mechanical or biological over chemical), the bill reduces the risk of re-introducing harmful pesticides like carbaryl or imidacloprid into estuaries—protecting water quality, seafood safety, and public health.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4, Sec. 2(2)(c)Shellfish processors in the region benefit from more stable supply chains if shellfish farms recover productivity; the bill’s focus on practical, field-tested solutions increases the likelihood of near-term operational improvements rather than speculative long-term science.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(b), Sec. 4
Who Is Most Affected
Shellfish farmers in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor—many operating small, family-owned farms—face direct economic harm from shrimp infestations. The bill provides targeted research, permitting support, and a governance voice to help them restore productivity and avoid closure.
Tribal nations, especially the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, rely on healthy estuaries for treaty-protected fisheries and cultural subsistence. Burrowing shrimp degrade eelgrass, which supports salmon and Dungeness crab; restoring habitat supports both ecological and cultural resilience.
State agencies (Agriculture, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, etc.) gain new statutory authority and funding to coordinate on a high-priority environmental-economic crisis, but must divert staff time to governance and permitting support duties without additional budget increases.
Shellfish processors face downstream impacts from farm closures or reduced yields. While not directly funded, they benefit indirectly from stabilized supply if the program succeeds—though they have no direct funding or decision-making role in the program.