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Senate Bill Report SB 5919 — Agriculture practices in unincorporated areas where wildfire danger is present

Summary

A Senate Bill Report on SB 5919, as of January 12, 2026, for the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development, with Senator Schoesler as sponsor. The bill's title is an act relating to agriculture practices in unincorporated areas where wildfire danger is present and encouraging fire districts and insurance providers to develop voluntary incentives to promote best practices. The report states that best practices may include defensible space or fire breaks, proper equipment storage, and water tanks. It lists Appropriation: None and Fiscal Note: Not requested, and gives the effective date as ninety days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

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“Senate Bill Report SB 5919 — Agriculture practices in unincorporated areas where wildfire danger is present.” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-01-14-a33597-d290354-5919-sba-bte-26-4a6024e739/, SHA-256 e43904af9c8667555425ad8b1a55fb2caf2dced0e6a3761a5dff91e41bbdb0db.

Full text

                            SENATE BILL REPORT
                                  SB 5919

                                      As of January 12, 2026

Title: An act relating to agriculture practices in unincorporated areas where wildfire danger is
     present and encouraging fire districts and insurance providers to develop voluntary
     incentives to promote best practices.

Brief Description: Encouraging fire districts and insurance providers to develop voluntary
     incentives to promote best practices.

Sponsors: Senator Schoesler.

Brief History:
     Committee Activity: Business, Trade & Economic Development: 1/14/26.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
           • Encourages fire districts and insurance providers to collaborate and
             develop incentives promoting wildfire mitigation best practices related to
             agricultural activities.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

     Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)

     Background: Wildfire Mitigation and Resilience. The Department of Natural Resources
     (DNR) is responsible for forest fire prevention and response on both private and state-
     owned forestland in Washington. DNR, in collaboration with other entities, provides
     guidance, funding, and other forms of assistance to support community resilience and
     preparedness for wildfires. A number of counties and communities have created community
     wildfire protection plans.

     2025 legislation established the Wildfire Mitigation and Resiliency Standards Work Group,
     cochaired by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Commissioner of Public



     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Senate Bill Report                              -1-                                             SB 5919
     Lands. The workgroup included representatives of rural landowners and the property and
     casualty insurance industry. The workgroup's report, issued on December 1, 2025, will be
     heard by Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee during a work
     session on January 14, 2026.

     Fire Districts. Fire protection districts, commonly called fire districts, are independent
     special purpose districts that provide fire protection and other services, usually in
     unincorporated areas.

     Summary of Bill: Developing Voluntary Incentives that Promote Best Practices for
     Wildfire Mitigation Related to Agricultural Activities. Fire districts and insurance providers
     should collaborate to develop incentives that promote wildfire mitigation best practices
     related to agricultural activities. Incentives should be optional for insurance providers to
     offer and voluntary for policyholders to accept.

     Defining Best Practices. Best practices may include, but are not limited to:
        • installation and maintenance of defensible space or fire breaks;
        • proper equipment storage;
        • installation and maintenance of water tanks;
        • ownership of equipment related to wildfire mitigation including, but not limited to, a
           firefighting apparatus, tractor, or disc harrow; and
        • notification for local red flag warnings.

     Appropriation: None.

     Fiscal Note: Not requested.

     Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

     Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.




Senate Bill Report                             -2-                                         SB 5919

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