Concerning agriculture.

HB 2616 creates a new "harvest assistance account" to fund rapid response to severe weather or market disruptions affecting crop harvests, managed by the Washington Department of Agriculture. It requires the Department to develop a strategy by December 2028 to expand purchases of Washington-grown food by state agencies, prisons, and public schools. The bill also amends multiple statutes to define key terms like "covered materials" and "de minimis producer" (small agricultural businesses with limited revenue). These changes aim to support local food systems and streamline agricultural supply chain responses, directly affecting Washington farmers and state purchasing entities.