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.
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.
HB 1958 authorizes Washington State to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds to fund the design, construction, and replacement of the aging I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, in partnership with Oregon. The bonds would be repaid solely from toll revenue collected on the bridge and specific excise taxes on fuel and vehicle-related fees, not general state funds. The bill establishes that tolls and these taxes must continue to cover bond payments, with the legislature pledging to maintain these revenue streams. It also requires legislative approval for bond issuance and specifies that proceeds can only be used for the bridge project, bond costs, or related financing. This law, effective July 2025, provides a dedicated financing mechanism for the bridge replacement without creating direct state debt.
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 1837 establishes specific improvement priorities for the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service, aiming to enhance the state's transportation system. It mandates the Washington State Department of Transportation to work towards target goals by 2035, including increasing on-time performance to 88% and boosting daily round trips between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The department must also improve multimodal connections at stations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the bill requires the department to report annually on its progress and directs the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades service development plan.
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.
House Bill 1774 allows the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to consider social, environmental, or economic benefits when determining lease terms for unused highway land. This applies when WSDOT leases property to public agencies, tribes, historical societies, or community-based nonprofit organizations for specific "community purposes." These purposes include providing housing, shelter programs, parks, public recreation, salmon habitat restoration, or public transportation uses. The bill outlines factors for WSDOT to evaluate such lease agreements and requires lessees to maintain the property and use it solely for the designated community purpose. WSDOT must also provide annual reports to the legislature on these active lease agreements.
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.
