This bill creates a new heritage orchard program to be established and run by Washington State University (WSU). WSU must adopt rules to implement the program, and at minimum the program must maintain a registry of heritage orchards in Washington (including their locations) and develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties. The bill defines a "heritage orchard" as either an orchard with at least five apple trees 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 bill includes legislative findings about the historical breadth and loss of apple varieties and expresses intent to support conservation and preservation of this aspect of Washington history. Legally, the measure adds a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW and thus creates a new program and statutory requirement (a procedural change requiring WSU rulemaking and registry maintenance); it does not create a new crime or change penalties. The bill is Substitute House Bill 2525 (2026), read first in the House on 02/04/2026, passed the House 02/12/2026 (Yeas 94, Nays 0) and passed the Senate 03/05/2026 (Yeas 47, Nays 1). The act is subject to a funding contingency: if specific funding referencing this act is not provided in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2026, the act is null and void. Missing or unclear details in the provided text include the exact RCW section number assigned, any appropriation amount or funding source, timelines for rulemaking, enforcement or staffing details, and the program’s internal definition of "rare or lost apple variety."

If enacted, Washington State University would be required to set up and run a new heritage orchard program that keeps an official list of heritage orchards in the state (including their locations) and a maintained list of rare and lost apple varieties, and WSU must adopt rules to operate the program. Practically, this means WSU will need to allocate staff time and other resources to create the registry and lists and to develop program rules; owners of orchards that meet the bill’s definition (at least five trees over 74 years old or any tree of a program-defined rare or lost variety) could be identified and listed, which may increase attention and support for conserving those trees and varieties. The program will only take effect if the legislature includes specific funding for it in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2026; without that appropriation the whole act becomes null and void. Key details are missing from the text provided — there is no appropriation amount or funding source, no timeline or staffing plan, and the bill leaves the precise definition of “rare or lost” to the program’s rules — so WSU, orchard owners, and preservation groups face uncertainty about when or how fully the program would operate.