Bill
SB 5261
Issuing water right permits for nonconsumptive hydropower use in water resource inventory areas in which minimum instream flows are not being met.
2025-2026 Regular Session
Introduced by Mike Chapman and 2 co-sponsors
SB 5261 allows hydropower permits in Washington waterways that already fail minimum streamflow requirements, prioritizing energy development over environmental restoration.
First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.