SB 5581 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

Senate Bill 5581 aims to enhance safety and expand active transportation infrastructure across Washington state. The bill requires state and local agencies to incorporate facilities like trails and shared-use paths for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists into highway planning and construction, ensuring connectivity and providing alternatives if existing paths are impacted. It authorizes the Department of Transportation and local governments to expend funds for planning, establishing, and maintaining these facilities. Additionally, the legislation defines "roundabout" and updates the definition of "crosswalk" within state law.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Jan 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Engrossed Bill · 5 edits · Jan 21, 2026

MODERATE

The bill updates the 'Complete Streets' requirements for state transportation projects, expanding the definition of 'Complete Streets' to explicitly include public transportation providers. It also adjusts the financial thresholds for projects requiring these improvements, raising the limit from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for projects starting design on or after August 1, 2025, while maintaining the lower threshold for earlier projects. Additionally, the bill creates a new funding account and establishes a recurring annual transfer of $3.125 million to support the Sandy Williams connecting communities program.

Scope change

The scope of the Complete Streets requirement now applies to a broader range of project sizes based on their design start date, with higher-value projects having a later effective date for the increased threshold.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Complete Streets' was modified to explicitly include 'public transportation providers' alongside pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders.

REQUIREMENT

The requirements for state transportation projects were modified to include a tiered system based on project value and design start date, distinguishing between projects starting between July 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025, and those starting on or after August 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

The financial threshold for triggering Complete Streets requirements was modified; projects starting design on or after August 1, 2025, must be $1,000,000 or more to qualify, whereas earlier projects must be $500,000 or more.

FISCAL

A new funding mechanism was added, creating a specific account for the Sandy Williams connecting communities program with an annual transfer of $3,125,000 starting in September 2027.

TIMELINE

The timeline for applying the higher project threshold was added, creating a transition period for projects starting design between July 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2026

How they voted

32–19

Passed

Total votes 51

Jan 21, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

1 Yea 19 Nay

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

TR - Majority; do pass.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

TR - Majority; do pass.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

TRAN - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors