Legislative News: Budget negotiations are starting 💵

Washington State Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 04/07/2025 12:00 PM PDT

April 7, 2025 | Session Day 85/105

What's happening?

Week 13: Three weeks to balance the budget

A lot has happened since our quick update a couple of weeks ago that announced the impending release of the operating budgets in the House and Senate. Since then, we’ve had a chance to review the impacts to the State Conservation Commission and the conservation districts we serve.

For a breakdown of what we see in the proposed operating and capital budgets, please see this blog post.

With an expected revenue shortfall of up to $16 billion over the next four years, the Legislature is preparing to make steep cuts to the budget. However, the majority Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, along with the Governor, have agreed that a balanced approach is needed – meaning that the budget will be balanced between a reduction in spending and the creation of new revenue.

There are several proposals for new revenue on the table from the House and Senate.

With 20 days left to go this session, a lot will be taking place to finalize the budgets. Governor Ferguson has stated five conditions under which he will sign the budget: preserving the rainy-day fund, realistic revenue projections, minimal new spending, significant savings and efficiencies, and not relying on new revenue sources that could face legal challenges – specifically the wealth tax proposal.

SCC will continue to engage with legislators to stress the importance of priority funding for conservation districts. Last week, we were asked to highlight a significant issue to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

We presented on the critical work of conservation districts implemented through our Forest Health and Community Wildfire Program, and the bleak future we all face if districts are unable to support local communities in wildfire preparedness.

Resources

TLDR: S CC budget documents up here
Important 2025 session dates

Legislative Headlines

Democrats weigh options as Gov. Ferguson rejects WA wealth tax | Seattle Times
Governor Ferguson's Press conference | TVW.org
Climate change coupled with migration of non-native species pose threat to Northwest fish | Washington State Standard
$5B proposal for salmon restoration aimed at addressing tribal lawsuit | Seattle Times
WA’s costly salmon recovery effort heads toward mediation | Seattle Times
USDA cuts hit small farms as Trump showers billions on big farms | Washington State Standard

Legislative 101

Budget Reconciliation and the Conference Committee

As bills are shaped through the legislative process, the House or Senate may reach a point where they do not agree with changes made by the opposite chamber. If they are unable to concur on amendments, a conference committee made up of members of both chambers can be created to resolve the differences. While this can happen with any bill, it commonly occurs with the extensive and complex budget bills.

There are significant differences between the budgets of the House and Senate. A conference committee has already been requested by the Senate to address the operating budget, with Senators Robinson (D-38), Standford (D-1), and Gildon (R-25) appointed. The House is expected to accept this request and appoint three representatives.

Unlike the operating budget, the capital budgets in both chambers have received unanimous bipartisan support in the fiscal committees. Over the past few years, the capital budget has not needed to go to a conference committee to reach concurrence, and it appears likely to not need one this session.