HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2525
As Passed House:
February 12, 2026
Title: An act relating to establishing the heritage orchard program.
Brief Description: Establishing the heritage orchard program.
Sponsors: House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce (originally sponsored by Representatives Mendoza, Springer, Corry, Dufault, Leavitt, Ley, Ybarra, Bernbaum, Chase, Parshley, Manjarrez, Barnard, Macri, Eslick and Nance).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Postsecondary Education & Workforce: 1/27/26, 2/3/26 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/12/26, 94-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Establishes a heritage orchard program at Washington State University.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION & WORKFORCE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 17 members:Representatives Paul, Chair; Nance, Vice Chair; Ybarra, Ranking Minority Member; McEntire, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Entenman, Graham, Keaton, Leavitt, Ley, Mendoza, Pollet, Reed, Rude, Salahuddin, Schmidt, Thomas and Timmons.
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.  Washington State University 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 United States apple production.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

Washington State University must establish and adopt rules to implement 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 and develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties.

 

The bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The apple industry has been involved in a variety of development and research initiatives at Washington State University for years to develop apples that consumers can enjoy and that are good for the growing conditions in the state, which involves crossing different types of apples.  Maintaining a bank of these heirloom trees is important to have this information and these varieties for future research.  Agriculture is struggling in the state and is a huge part of our economy and necessary for food security, and this bill helps to address these issues.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Gloria Mendoza, prime sponsor; and Mike Burgess, WA Tree Fruit Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.