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Bill

HB 1065

Concerning family burial grounds.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Orcutt and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1065 establishes legal protections and recognition standards for family burial grounds on private Washington property to preserve historical cemetery sites from development or neglect.

Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
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Bill Summary · HB 1065

Legislative bill overview

HB 1065 addresses the legal recognition and protection of family burial grounds in Washington state. The bill establishes standards for how private family cemeteries are identified, maintained, and preserved on private property.

Why is this important

Family burial grounds are historically significant sites that can be scattered across private lands, particularly in rural areas and regions with deep generational roots. Without clear legal protections, these burial sites risk being overlooked during property transfers, development projects, or maintenance disputes, potentially leading to desecration or loss of important cultural heritage.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. burial protection: Balancing landowner autonomy with restrictions on what they can do with portions of their property containing family graves
  • Identification and documentation requirements: Determining who bears the burden and cost of formally documenting and registering family burial grounds, and what happens to undocumented historical sites
  • Access and maintenance responsibilities: Clarifying whether property owners must grant access to descendants for visitation and upkeep, and who pays for maintenance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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