Transportation

This bill updates the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's role to focus on identifying contributing factors that lead to roadway fatalities and serious injuries. It amends existing laws to clarify that information from traffic fatality reviews is confidential and exempt from public disclosure, protecting sensitive data used in safety investigations. The legislation also adds new definitions for key terms like "bicyclist fatality," "pedestrian fatality," and "serious injury" to ensure consistent understanding across the commission's work. Additionally, the bill expands the commission's authority to operate as a public health authority while maintaining confidentiality for specific health-related records involved in traffic safety reviews.

HB 2727 creates a state-funded grant program to help community and technical college students pay for public transportation. It requires the state transportation department to provide grants to transit agencies that partner with colleges to offer free or reduced transit fares for students enrolled in degree or certificate programs. To qualify, transit agencies must submit proposals detailing program goals, cost-reduction methods, college partnerships, and long-term sustainability plans. The program aims to lower transportation barriers for these students, with pilot projects required to report outcomes to the legislature within six months of completion.

HB 2711 adjusts Washington State's motor vehicle fuel tax structure, directly affecting fuel licensees (gas stations, distributors) and fuel suppliers. It adds new tax rates, including 6 cents per gallon for regular fuel starting July 2025 and 3 cents per gallon for special fuel starting July 2027, while creating automatic annual 2% increases for both regular and special fuel taxes beginning July 2026. The bill specifies detailed calculations for these annual adjustments, requiring the state treasurer to recalculate rates each July 1 based on prior tax rates and rounding to the nearest thousandth of a dollar. It also clarifies when fuel taxes apply, such as when fuel is removed from terminals, entered into the state, or sold to unlicensed entities.

HB 2715 allows Washington port districts and port development authorities to use public funds to purchase zero- or near-zero emission cargo handling equipment and supporting infrastructure for their own use or for tenants/lessees. It specifically prohibits using these funds for fully automated marine container handling equipment (defined as remotely operated systems with minimal human control). The bill applies directly to port districts, their authorities, and their tenants, aiming to promote cleaner port operations while restricting fully automated systems. The policy change expires on December 31, 2031.

HB 2718 requires Washington's Department of Transportation to streamline permitting for transportation projects by creating a multiagency program that coordinates with regulatory agencies and federally recognized tribes. The bill sets specific timeframes: agencies must hold meetings within 30 days to discuss permit expediting, and permit decisions must be reached within 90 days, with automatic approval if no comments are received within 60 days. It also mandates the DOT to develop standardized templates, improve communication about permit progress, and create programmatic permits to reduce paperwork and costs for projects like road improvements and fish passage corrections. This directly affects the DOT, state/federal permitting agencies (e.g., Ecology, Fish and Wildlife), local governments, and tribes involved in transportation project approvals.

Washington State's legislature has introduced a memorial (SJM 8016) requesting Congress treat the permanent closure of the Fairfax Bridge (on State Route 165) as an emergency. The memorial asks Congress to: (1) allow environmental and historic review processes to occur during or after replacement construction (instead of before), and (2) remove the bridge from the National Historic Register to expedite rebuilding. This directly affects residents south of the bridge who rely on it for access to Mount Rainier National Park and essential services, currently forced to use dangerous logging roads for basic needs after recent storm closures cut off all access. The bill seeks federal action to accelerate replacement due to the bridge's structural failure and critical community impact.

Washington's SB 6119 bans the use of 6PPD (a chemical in tires that breaks down into toxic 6PPD-quinone) and "regrettable substitutes" in tires sold or distributed in the state by January 1, 2035. It requires tire distributors to pay a temporary fee for tires containing 6PPD while the industry develops safer alternatives, and prohibits any "regrettable substitute" not verified as safer by the Department of Ecology. The bill directly affects tire manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, aiming to protect salmon and other aquatic species by reducing toxic tire wear particles in waterways. This policy change aligns with Washington's goals for salmon recovery and reducing stormwater pollution from tire chemicals.

HB 2495 allows cities with populations over 700,000 to immediately remove vehicles obstructing streetcar operations or endangering public safety without waiting periods. It amends Washington state law to specify that vehicles blocking streetcar right-of-way must be removed "immediately" under Section 46.55.010(14)(a)(v), directly affecting property owners (both residential and private) and tow truck operators. Key provisions require proper authorization for removals (signed by officials or property owners), mandate recording of impound details, and prohibit tow operators from acting as property owner agents. The bill focuses on streamlining streetcar safety enforcement while adding liability warnings for property owners authorizing removals.

HB 2362 lowers Washington's legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08% to 0.05% for all drivers, effective upon enactment. The bill amends statutes governing impaired driving (RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504) to establish this new threshold, alongside setting a THC concentration limit of 5.00 for cannabis impairment. It maintains existing penalties for violations but adds defenses for drivers who consumed alcohol/cannabis *after* driving but before testing. The change directly affects all drivers in Washington, aligning state law with international standards adopted by 84% of the global population.

SB 6269 updates Washington's definition of "motor fuel" in the Motor Fuel Quality Act to reflect modern fuel types. It revises key definitions, including clarifying that E85 must contain 75-85% ethanol, updating biodiesel and renewable diesel standards to align with current federal and ASTM requirements, and specifying how ethanol-blended fuels may be marketed. The bill directly affects fuel producers, retailers, and distributors by establishing clear labeling and quality standards for ethanol blends and alternative fuels like renewable diesel. It removes outdated language and ensures definitions match current industry practices without changing fuel requirements or consumer pricing.