HB 1616 expands the definition of "unlawful transit conduct" to explicitly include Washington State Ferries. This means that behaviors previously prohibited on other public transit, such as smoking, littering, playing loud music without headphones, or consuming open alcoholic beverages, will now also apply to state ferries. The bill amends existing law by adding "ferry boat" to the definition of a transit vehicle and "the Washington state ferries" to the definition of a transit authority. Individuals found in violation of these rules on state ferries could be guilty of a misdemeanor.
HB 1537 expands access to the multiuse roadway safety account, which funds projects related to wheeled all-terrain vehicle (WATV) use. It makes the Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife eligible for funding to maintain green dot roads used for motorized recreation, including mitigating road impacts, erecting signage, and providing educational materials. Additionally, cities and towns that allow WATVs on their roads can now receive grants for safety engineering, signage, law enforcement, and enhancing these designated routes. This bill aims to improve safety and maintenance for motorized recreation on specific roadways across the state.
SB 5161 establishes the transportation budget for Washington State for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, allocating funds to various state agencies for infrastructure and services. It appropriates specific amounts from designated accounts to cover employee compensation, capital projects, and operational expenses across multiple state departments. Key provisions include funding for road maintenance and programs designed to increase opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses in the transportation sector. Additionally, the bill funds a tribal electric boat grant program and supports a sustainable aviation fuel institute.
Senate Bill 5802 rebalances how state funds are transferred to support transportation and public works projects. The bill amends existing laws to modify the amounts and durations of transfers from the state's general fund and the public works assistance account. Specifically, it adjusts financial contributions to the connecting Washington account, the move ahead WA flexible account, and the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account. These changes generally reduce or shorten the periods for these transfers, directly affecting the financial allocations for various state transportation initiatives.
SB 5009 modifies the student transportation allocation system for school districts in Washington state. It encourages districts to use various vehicle types, including school buses and other vehicles like district-owned passenger cars, for student transportation if deemed safe and cost-effective. The bill updates reporting requirements for districts to include miles driven per vehicle type and directs the superintendent of public instruction (SPI) to calculate transportation allocations based on all vehicle types used. Additionally, the SPI will establish minimum categories and competitive specifications for all student transportation vehicles to guide reimbursement.
House Bill 1902 establishes a temporary work group to develop recommendations for making the permitting process for transportation projects more efficient. This group will involve various state agencies, local government representatives, industry groups, and tribal representatives. The work group's main goal is to identify ways to reduce project costs and completion times by aligning permitting requirements and processes, while ensuring environmental and regulatory protections are maintained. The group must submit an interim report by January 1, 2026, and a final report, including any legislative recommendations, by November 1, 2026, after which the group will expire.
HB 1878, titled "Improving young driver safety," enacts new requirements for young adults obtaining their initial driver's license in Washington. Beginning in 2027 and phasing in by age, individuals under 22 years old will be required to complete a driver training education course before receiving their license. The bill also mandates that initial license applicants under 25 years old pass an online course on driver work zone and first responder safety from 2026 to 2031. Furthermore, it requires initial license holders under 25 who commit two moving violations to complete a safe driving course, with license suspension as a consequence for not doing so.
SB 5127 modifies the requirements for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates in Washington state. It redefines a "horseless carriage" to apply only to vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1916. For "collector vehicle" plates, effective January 15, 2026, applicants must provide proof of ownership for a separate daily-use vehicle and proof of liability insurance for the collector vehicle itself. This bill ensures that collector vehicles and horseless carriages comply with general financial responsibility requirements.
Senate Bill 5595 allows local authorities to designate certain nonarterial highways as "shared streets," which are areas where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles share the roadway. On these designated streets, vehicular traffic must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and micromobility devices, and bicyclists/micromobility users must yield to pedestrians. The bill also permits local authorities to establish a maximum speed limit of 10 miles per hour on shared streets without requiring an engineering study. Additionally, local authorities must publish annual reports on traffic accidents, speeding, and DUI violations occurring on these shared streets.
SB 5556 modernizes Washington's adopt-a-highway program, affecting volunteer groups, businesses, and sponsors who participate in roadside clean-up and maintenance. The bill explicitly links the program's operation and recognition efforts to specific legislative appropriations, emphasizing fiscal limitations. It expands adoptable locations to include rest areas and park-and-ride lots, and clarifies that activities can include planting pollinator-friendly vegetation and graffiti removal. Additionally, it requires the Department of Transportation to submit annual reports on program participants and prohibits politically active organizations from participating.
