SB 5552, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D–Edmonds), has the stated intent to protect and expand the habitat on which pollinator species depend. Pollinators are a keystone species, meaning they play a crucial role in the function of an ecosystem. If an ecosystem loses a keystone species, other species and the ecosystem itself may cease to exist. The bill has local governments playing a role to promote practices to ensure a sustainable population of managed and native pollinators.

The bill would do the following:

• Directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to promote and protect pollinator habitat and the health and sustainability of pollinator species;
• The program must provide educational, technical, and financial assistance to state agencies, local governments, and private landowners to implement practices promoting habitat for managed pollinators, as well as beekeeper and grower best management practices;
• Establishes a task force to focus state efforts on understanding, preventing, and recovering from pollinator losses;
• Requires state resource agencies to consider maintenance of pollinator habitat in doing their work;
• Authorizes a city, town, code city, or county to adopt an ordinance to use vacant or blighted land for the purpose of community gardening. The ordinance must require a portion of the community garden to include habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of pollinators, including honey bees; and
• Authorizes a city, town, or code city to adopt an ordinance establishing an urban agriculture zone within its city or town limits.

SB 5552 passed the Senate unanimously.

Dates to remember

SB 5552 will be heard on Tuesday, March 19, at 10 am in the House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee.