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Committee hears testimony on bill to fund wildlife corridors and reduce vehicle–wildlife collisions
Summary
The House Transportation Committee heard briefing and extensive public testimony on ESSB 5203, which directs WSDOT and WDFW to develop an integrated habitat connectivity strategy, creates two treasury accounts for corridors and crossings, and requires reporting; supporters cited safety and federal-match opportunities while some landowners warned of poor local engagement.
The House Transportation Committee on Feb. 18 heard a staff briefing and more than two hours of public testimony on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5203, a proposal to coordinate highway and wildlife planning and create state accounts to fund wildlife corridors and crossings.
David Meneke, staff to the committee, told members ESSB 5203 would require the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop and periodically update an integrated wildlife habitat connectivity strategy tied to the Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan. The bill would create two treasury accounts — a Washington wildlife corridors account for WDFW and a Washington wildlife crossings account for WSDOT — and requires agency reports to the legislature and governor by Dec. 1, 2026, and every even-numbered year thereafter. Meneke said most provisions would take effect 90 days after the end of the session.
Sponsor Sen. Sarah Solomon framed the measure as a public-safety and ecological initiative. "More…
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