ACTION ALERT: Wildlife Crossings Hearing Feb. 18

ESSB 5203 is up for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee on February 18. Washington BHA is calling on all hunters to support this critical wildlife connectivity bill.

Each year, Washington loses thousands of deer and hundreds of elk to vehicle collisions. That’s damaged trucks, rising insurance costs, and real risk to drivers. It also means the loss of a public wildlife resource that hunters help fund and steward. In fact, vehicle mortality accounts for nearly 50% of the annual hunter harvest of mule deer in Washington. 

ESSB 5203 takes a straightforward approach to reducing wildlife-vehicle conflict:

• It improves coordination between WDFW and WSDOT
• It prioritizes wildlife crossings where they make sense
• It protects critical habitat corridors
• It positions Washington to compete for federal funding without committing state dollars now

ESSB 5203 gives Washington a coordinated, strategic path forward. It improves agency alignment, prioritizes projects where they make sense, and positions the state to leverage federal and private dollars to improve safety for drivers and resilience for wildlife.
 
Abundant wildlife and strong hunting opportunities depend on connectivity. By speaking up now, you can make a generational difference- strengthening both infrastructure and resilient wildlife populations. 

 

TAKE ACTION TODAY!
There are two ways to support ESSB 5203 before the February 18 hearing:
 

✅ Option 1: Sign In “Pro”
 

Add your name to the legislative record in support of the bill.

✍️ Option 2: Submit Written Testimony
 

Send a short message to the House Transportation Committee urging a YES vote.

You can use the sample below and personalize it for greater impact.

Dear Chair and Members of the House Transportation Committee,

I am writing to express my strong support for ESSB 5203.

As a Washington hunter and conservationist, I believe this bill represents a practical and nonpartisan step forward for both public safety and responsible wildlife management.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions cost drivers millions of dollars each year and put families at risk. They also result in the loss of thousands of game animals each year- a shared public resource valued by all Washingtonians. Proven wildlife crossing infrastructure significantly reduces these collisions while protecting critical migration routes and maintaining healthy wildlife populations.

ESSB 5203 does not create unnecessary mandates. Instead, it establishes coordination and dedicated accounts so the state can prioritize projects strategically and leverage federal and private funding when available. It is a thoughtful, measured approach that improves infrastructure planning while delivering broad public benefit.
 

Hunters across Washington support this bill because it reflects common-sense stewardship. It improves road safety, strengthens herd resilience, and uses taxpayer dollars more efficiently without unnecessary mandates or fiscal obligation. In a difficult year, ESSB 5203 stands out as a solution that benefits rural and urban communities alike. I respectfully encourage you to move this bill forward.
 

Thank you for your time and consideration.