Lawmakers in Washington’s 35th District are warning that a proposed state fee hike could bankrupt local shellfish farms and wreck the coastal economy. The state Department of Health (DOH) is looking at raising fees by as much as 500%—a move that would force at least 1 in 10 small farms to close their doors for good.
To protect these local businesses, Senator Drew MacEwen (R-Shelton), Representatives Travis Couture (R-Allyn) and Dan Griffey (R-Allyn) have introduced emergency bills (Senate Bill 5996 and House Bill 2659). These bills aim to freeze all shellfish licensing and use fees until June 2027, giving farmers some breathing room and preventing the state from charging them these new fees right away.
The three Republican lawmakers representing the Mason County area called the DOH’s plan irresponsible. Senator MacEwen noted that while the state uses fancy terms like “full-cost recovery,” the reality is that these extreme price hikes crush small family operations. He argued that this isn’t just about the state raising money—it’s a move that will actively kill local jobs.