Senate Bill 5334 would allow appeals of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) civil enforcement decisions relating to agricultural and cultural burning and smoke management to be heard by the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB), rather than only within DNR’s internal procedures.

Committee staff briefed members that the bill is a DNR request and is a companion to House Bill 1646. Senator Shelley Short, the prime sponsor, said the change creates an external appeal option similar to processes used by Ecology, conservation districts, local health jurisdictions and Fish & Wildlife.

Erica Odom, Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs at DNR, testified in support and described SB 5334 as a “good government bill” that provides an independent administrative tribunal for those contesting alleged violations of civil burning and smoke management statutes.

No witnesses testified in opposition; the transcript shows only agency support and a single staff briefing. The committee closed the public hearing with committee staff reading into the record the names of those signed in and noting no further business for the day.

Ending: The bill remains at the public hearing stage; the transcript records agency support and sponsor remarks but no committee action or vote during this session.