Committee approves measure to let tribes join Conservation Futures Program

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 25 reported Substitute Senate Bill 1697 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation following a roll‑call vote of seven ayes and four nays.

Ms. Smith, staff to the committee, described the bill as one that "adds federally recognized Indian tribes as entities that can participate in the Conservation Futures Program." Representative Birnbaum, who said she formerly served on a county conservation board, argued the change "makes a lot of good sense" and noted tribes are important conservation partners that frequently use similar tools to preserve open space, farmland and forests.

Representative Dent expressed reservations about what the bill does and does not do and said some on her side had concerns about the measure. She said she had engaged in conversations with the prime sponsor and that the sponsor was "willing to work on this to alleviate any concerns" and that she would vote yes today while continuing to pursue amendments on the floor. Dent asked for more clarity about how much land is currently in the Conservation Futures Program and said that information "we really don't have" and is needed.

The committee conducted a roll call. Recorded votes included: Reeves (aye), Morgan (aye), Dent (aye), Engel (nay without recommendation), Rangel (nay without recommendation), Birnbaum (aye), McClintock (nay without recommendation), Nance (aye), Orcutt (nay), Richards (aye), Schmick (nay), Springer (aye). Staff announced the final tally as seven ayes, four nays, zero excused and zero absent; the bill was reported out with a due‑pass recommendation.

Next steps: the bill will move forward to the House floor where sponsors and opponents may offer floor amendments; committee members signaled they expect further work to clarify program capacity and precise impacts to eligible land.