Senate committee holds public hearing on bill to permit maple syrup processors

The Washington State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5778, which would establish permitting standards, operational rules, and enforcement authority for maple syrup processing operations in Washington state.

Committee staff said the bill defines a maple syrup processing operation (MSPO) to include collection of sap, processing into syrup and related facilities and employees, and would require MSPOs to obtain a permit from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) every two years, with an initial WSDA inspection before permitting.

Elena Becker, committee staff, told lawmakers the bill lets the WSDA adopt rules for MSPOs but prohibits requiring a permanent structure, installing plumbing in the processing area, or having running water on-site. Becker summarized enforcement as allowing the WSDA to deny, suspend or revoke permits and said operating without a valid permit would be a misdemeanor; a subsequent violation would be a gross misdemeanor, with civil penalties as an alternative if criminal charges are not pursued. Becker also cited the fiscal estimate attached to the bill: $2,248 in cash receipts and $66,156 in general fund expenditures in the 2025–27 biennium.

Senator Shoemake, the bill's prime sponsor, framed the measure as a way to support forest landowners and small producers who are developing a small-scale maple syrup industry using bigleaf maple. "This is a sweet little bill," Shoemake said. He noted that being able to process syrup on-site and to use wood-fired boiling methods matters to some producers.

Laura Butler, legislative liaison for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said the agency is not the bill sponsor but is supportive of developing a processing permit for maple syrup and will work with the prime sponsor. "We are supportive of working with the prime sponsor to develop this permit program," Butler said, adding the agency plans to continue seeking creative interim solutions and expects only a small number of processing facilities would be affected.

Daryl Dietrich, who identified himself as owner of a 20-acre bigleaf maple syrup farm in Colossum and president of the Washington State Maple Syrup Association, testified that restrictive rules have made it burdensome for landowners to build commercial sugaring operations. "Sugaring is important because it's community building. It supports local economies and strengthens local food systems," Dietrich said, adding that production can also encourage forest conservation.

Rich Weiss, representing the Washington Hardwoods Commission and the Small Forest Landowner Advisory Committee, said some landowners have partnered with universities to produce bigleaf maple syrup as an alternative income stream to keep forestland in production. Weiss noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies syrup as a low-risk food and asked the committee for support. "I represent the 220,000 small forest landowners on the Washington Hardwoods Commission," Weiss said.

No formal action was taken on the bill at the hearing. Chair Chapman closed public testimony and the prime sponsor indicated he would continue working on the proposal during the interim with the goal of returning with a bill next year.

The committee record shows proponents, WSDA staff and forest-industry representatives testified in favor of creating a specific permitting pathway for maple syrup processors while staff outlined rulemaking, inspection and enforcement details that would accompany the permit program.