Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 2525
Brief Description: Establishing the heritage orchard program.
Sponsors: Representatives Mendoza, Springer, Corry, Dufault, Leavitt, Ley, Ybarra, Bernbaum, Chase, Parshley, Manjarrez, Barnard, Macri, Eslick and Nance.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes a heritage orchard program at Washington State University.
Hearing Date: 1/27/26
Staff: Saranda Ross (786-7068).
Background:

Washington State University (WSU)—originally named Washington State Agricultural College and School of Science—was established in Pullman, Washington, in 1890.  It was designated by Congress and the Legislature as a land-grant institution.  Land-grant institutions were established to teach agriculture, military tactics, and mechanic arts as well as scientific and classical studies, so that members of the working classes could obtain a liberal, practical education.  WSU now has several campuses and research and extension programs across the state.

 

One of WSU's research programs is the Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC).  The TFREC hosts WSU faculty and Agriculture Research Service scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture and supports staff and students who conduct research and outreach on certain crops, with a primary emphasis on apple, pear, and cherry.

 

In 1994, WSU began an apple breeding program to develop new varieties of apple suited to the unique climate of central Washington and easily available to Washington growers.  Washington is the leading apple producing state, accounting for over 60 percent of U.S. apple production.
Summary of Bill:

Washington State University must establish a heritage orchard program.  A heritage orchard is an orchard with at least five apple trees that are more than 74 years old, or an orchard with at least one tree of a rare or lost apple variety as defined by the heritage orchard program.  The WSU Heritage Orchard Program must:

  • maintain a registry of heritage orchards in Washington;
  • provide resources to preserve heritage orchards;
  • propagate rare and lost apple cultivars for backyard and commercial production; and
  • develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2026.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.