The bill aims to enhance Washington's agricultural pest and disease response by establishing a dedicated funding mechanism and updating existing emergency response protocols. A new Agricultural Pest and Disease Response Account is created within the state treasury to receive funds appropriated by the legislature or from other lawful sources. These funds are designated for activities related to the prevention, detection, and response to emerging agricultural threats. Expenditures from this account can only occur following a declaration of emergency or quarantine order, ensuring that resources are allocated specifically to protect the state's food and agricultural economy, public health, and environment.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 17.24.171 to refine the process for responding to imminent pest and disease threats. It replaces the previous requirement for a committee to include specific representatives with a broader invitation for participation from various stakeholders, including affected agricultural industries, local governments, and environmental organizations. The bill also increases the frequency of evaluations of emergency measures from every ten days to every sixty days, ensuring a more rigorous oversight of the response efforts. Overall, the legislation seeks to provide a more robust framework for managing agricultural threats in Washington.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 17.24.171
Substitute Bill: 17.24.171
Bill as Passed Legislature: 17.24.171
Session Law: 17.24.171