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SB6090 • 2026
Establishing the heritage orchard program.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Heritage orchard program
Referred to Ways & Means.
Heritage orchard program
AN ACT Relating to establishing the heritage orchard program; 1 adding a new section to chapter 28B.30 RCW; and creating a new 2 section. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the apple 5 is intertwined with the history of Washington and the United States. 6 American propagation of apples began as early as the 1600s and by 7 1900, there were approximately 20,000 known varieties of apples 8 across North America.9 (2) The legislature further finds that: 10 (a) Since 1900, half of North America's known apple varieties 11 have become extinct; and 12 (b) Dedicated Washingtonians have discovered at least 29 13 varieties of apples previously thought to be extinct. Such "lost 14 apples" are often located in small orchards originally planted on 15 homesteads or other family farms. 16 (3) It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to create a 17 heritage orchard program to support the conservation of rare apple 18 varieties and to preserve this element of Washington's history.19 S-3495.1 SENATE BILL 6090 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senators Braun, Conway, Lovelett, Schoesler, Shewmake, and Wellman Read first time 01/13/26. Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development. p. 1 SB 6090 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 1 RCW to read as follows: 2 (1) Washington State University shall establish a heritage 3 orchard program. At minimum, the heritage orchard program must:4 (a) Maintain a registry of heritage orchards in Washington;5 (b) Provide resources to preserve heritage orchards;6 (c) Propagate rare and lost apple cultivars for backyard and 7 commercial production; and 8 (d) Develop and maintain a list of rare and lost apple varieties.9 (2) For the purposes of this section, "heritage orchard" means:10 (a) An orchard with at least five apple trees that are more than 11 74 years old; or 12 (b) At least one tree of a rare or lost apple variety, as defined 13 by the heritage orchard program. 14 --- END --- p. 2 SB 6090