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Lawmakers weigh quicker removal of derelict vessels to reduce environmental and fiscal harm

House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee · January 27, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

House Bill 21‑99 would broaden the definition of derelict vessel and shorten enforcement timelines so ports, counties and DNR can intervene before boats sink; ports, counties and local officials testified in support citing recent costly sinkings and risks to Puget Sound.

House Bill 21‑99 would expand the statutory definition of derelict and abandoned vessels, allow prioritization of long‑out‑of‑compliance boats for removal, and change appeal and custody timing so authorities can act earlier to prevent sinking and large clean‑up costs.

Representative Addison Richards, the bill’s sponsor, cited a recent tug…

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