Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 6065: Concerning school district transportation vehicle funds.

SB 6065 modifies rules for school district transportation vehicle funds, primarily affecting districts under financial oversight (e.g., binding conditions or enhanced oversight). It allows these districts to temporarily borrow from their transportation vehicle fund for up to one year without interest, requiring repayment within a year, full reporting of loans, and board approval. The bill also clarifies that funds in the transportation vehicle fund can be used for purchasing electric buses, charging infrastructure, vehicle repairs, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. Districts under financial oversight may petition to convert temporary loans into permanent transfers if approved by the superintendent. The changes aim to provide flexibility while ensuring funds remain dedicated to transportation needs.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly permits using transportation vehicle funds for electric bus purchases, directly promoting sustainable transportation within school fleets.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2451: Concerning local tax increment financing.

HB 2451 modifies Washington State's tax increment financing (TIF) rules to help local governments fund public improvements. It allows cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions to use increased property tax revenue from designated "increment areas" (geographic zones where property values rise after designation) to pay for eligible projects like roads, water systems, affordable housing, and park facilities. The bill sets limits: an increment area cannot exceed $200 million in assessed value (adjusted annually by the consumer price index) or 20% of a jurisdiction's total assessed value, whichever is smaller. It clarifies which costs qualify, including infrastructure, affordable housing development, and administrative expenses directly tied to TIF implementation. This bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance public projects through targeted tax revenue growth within specific zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables local governments to fund public improvements (roads, housing) using tax increment revenue, strengthening fiscal tools for public projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly designates affordable housing as an eligible TIF project, directly enabling local funding for housing development and affordability initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly lists roads as eligible TIF projects, enabling local funding for transportation infrastructure improvements within designated increment areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2192: Updating the role of the Washington traffic safety commission in identifying the risk factors that lead to roadway fatalities.

HB 2192 updates Washington's Traffic Safety Commission to more systematically identify risk factors causing roadway fatalities. It establishes a new "fatality review committee" of traffic safety experts to analyze collisions resulting in death or serious injury, including those involving bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. The bill amends the Commission's purpose to focus explicitly on identifying these risk factors and coordinating statewide safety programs. This change directly affects the Commission's operations and how collision data is reviewed to inform future safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes fatality review committee to analyze roadway deaths and coordinate safety programs, directly enhancing transportation safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 6066: Establishing accident risk zones.

SB 6066 allows counties, cities, towns, or the Washington State Department of Transportation to designate "crash prevention zones" on public roads with frequent serious collisions. To create a zone, local governments must hold a public hearing and conduct safety studies (which may adjust speed limits), then increase traffic enforcement in those areas. Drivers caught speeding or causing collisions in these zones face a $73 fine, with the revenue funding safety improvements like road signs, engineering studies, and enforcement in the same zone. Zones automatically end once safety upgrades are completed or can be dissolved early by petition from 10% of local property owners/residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs $73 traffic fine revenue to fund road safety improvements, explicitly allocating new revenue to public infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds road safety improvements via fines from crash zones, enhancing infrastructure and enforcement to prevent collisions on public roads.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2495: Addressing the removal of vehicles by certain cities when obstructing the operation of streetcar vehicles or jeopardizing public safety.

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables immediate removal of vehicles obstructing streetcar operations, directly enhancing public transit safety and efficiency per Section 46.55.010(14)(a)(v).90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5690: Concerning utility relocation.

Senate Bill 5690 directs the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) to proactively coordinate with broadband and utility owners regarding planned state highway projects to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure. The bill allows the DOT to install broadband conduit during road construction if owners are unable, aiming to reduce future traffic impacts and support telework. It also requires the DOT to provide utility owners with advance notice for state fish barrier removal projects. The DOT is encouraged to seek federal funding for utility relocation costs associated with these projects and must report on its federal funding efforts and recommendations by December 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFacilitates broadband infrastructure installation during highway projects to expand internet access and support telework, directly advancing technology infrastructure deployment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs DOT to coordinate broadband installation during highway projects, reducing future traffic impacts and improving infrastructure efficiency for transportation projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1980: Allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities.

House Bill 1980 allows certain private employer transportation services to use designated public transportation facilities, directly affecting employers who provide employee shuttles and the authorities managing these routes. It permits private employer transportation service vehicles, defined as marked, regularly scheduled employee shuttles with capacity for eight or more passengers, to use reserved limited access facilities (like HOV lanes) if their use does not interfere with public transit efficiency. In counties with over two million people, local authorities may also issue fee-for-use permits for these private services to use specific transit-only lanes that allow access to abutting businesses, with approval from public transportation providers. These permits require adherence to operational performance standards to ensure public transit efficiency, and generated revenues cover administrative costs and lane maintenance.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows private shuttles to use HOV lanes, enhancing infrastructure utilization without interfering with public transit, directly advancing transportation efficiency.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2410: Establishing a commercial truck safety and education council.

HB 2410 establishes a Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council within the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The council, composed of state agency representatives (including the State Patrol and Transportation departments), trucking industry leaders, and public members, will develop safety programs to address rising truck collision rates and improve driver training. It will use existing funds from the commercial vehicle safety account to coordinate industry initiatives, analyze crash trends, and provide grants for safety education - without creating new taxes or fees. The council must report annually to the legislature starting in 2028 on its activities and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates safety council to improve truck driver training and reduce collisions, directly enhancing workplace safety for commercial drivers.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates council to develop truck safety programs and improve driver training using existing funds, directly enhancing transportation safety standards for commercial vehicles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2374: Concerning electric-assisted bicycle and electric motorcycle regulation.

HB 2374 clarifies Washington state's definitions for e-bikes and electric motorcycles to address regulatory confusion. It creates three e-bike classes: Class 1 (pedal-assist only up to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-only up to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist up to 28 mph with speedometer). Electric motorcycles are defined as vehicles without operable pedals, exceeding 750W motor power, or providing motor assistance beyond 20 mph without pedal input. The bill directly affects e-bike riders, manufacturers, and law enforcement by establishing clear classification standards for safety and enforcement, while requiring a work group to study enforcement consistency and consumer protections by December 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies e-bike regulations to promote sustainable transportation use, aligning with infrastructure safety and vehicle standardization goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2109: Addressing vehicle loads on public highways.

HB 2109 requires vehicles transporting loose materials (like dirt, sand, or gravel) on Washington public highways to securely cover loads or maintain six inches of space above the load to prevent spillage. It mandates immediate cleanup of spilled materials, glass, or debris that could endanger other drivers, and requires vehicles with mud or debris to be cleaned before traveling. Violations range from infractions for minor failures to gross misdemeanors if negligence causes bodily harm. The law applies directly to commercial drivers and anyone transporting such materials, with penalties defined by the severity of the hazard created. It exempts public maintenance vehicles from sand-spreading for traction or highway cleaning.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates secure loads and immediate spill cleanup on highways to prevent accidents, directly enhancing road safety standards per transportation safety indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

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