Transportation

passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5746: Creating an advisory committee on electric vehicle charger infrastructure property crime.

This bill establishes an advisory committee to address property crime targeting electric vehicle charger infrastructure in Washington state. This committee will operate under the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council and include representatives from law enforcement, the EV industry, utilities, local governments, and community groups. Its primary role is to develop guidance and recommendations on reducing these crimes and to respond to legislative questions. The committee's findings will be included in the council's annual report, and the committee is set to expire on July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates committee to protect EV charger infrastructure, directly supporting sustainable transportation infrastructure security and safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5773: Concerning alternative procurement and delivery models for transportation projects.

SB 5773 aims to update how Washington state procures and delivers transportation projects, specifically by revising and expanding the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other alternative delivery models. The bill repeals existing PPP laws and establishes a new framework, requiring the Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to develop policies and rules for their use. These policies will focus on demonstrating public value, incorporating private sector expertise, and managing project risks. The legislation also seeks to provide WSDOT with more flexibility to use alternative delivery models like progressive design-build, aiming to expedite project delivery and address increasing costs.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands public-private partnerships for transportation project delivery, focusing on public value and private expertise to advance infrastructure development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5009: Modifying the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows flexible transportation options to maintain student access, supporting operational efficiency for school districts.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modifies student transportation allocation to allow flexible vehicle use (buses, cars) for safety/cost, updating reporting to optimize existing transportation resources within the framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1902: Convening a work group regarding the streamlining of permitting for transportation projects.

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines permitting for transportation projects to reduce costs and completion times, supporting infrastructure development while maintaining environmental protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 5556: Modernizing the adopt-a-highway program to improve its ability to meet its original purpose within existing fiscal limitations.

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModernizes adopt-a-highway program for roadside maintenance, expands to rest areas/park-and-ride, enhances infrastructure upkeep within budget constraints.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 5702: Streamlining the toll rate setting process at the transportation commission.

Senate Bill 5702 streamlines the process for setting and adjusting toll rates in Washington state. It exempts the Transportation Commission, when acting as the state's tolling authority, from the standard administrative procedure act for these decisions. This change is intended to allow for quicker adjustments to tolls, enabling the commission to meet financial obligations and performance requirements for tolled facilities more efficiently. The bill aims to establish a faster, more flexible toll setting process while still maintaining public transparency.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines toll rate adjustments to improve financial management of transportation infrastructure, enabling efficient meeting of obligations for tolled facilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1418: Adding two voting members that are transit users to the governing body of public transportation benefit areas.

HB 1418 modifies the governing bodies of public transportation benefit areas (PTBAs) by adding two new voting members who are transit users. This increases the maximum number of voting members for single-county PTBAs to 11 and for multi-county PTBAs to 17. One new member must primarily rely on public transportation, while the other must represent a community-based organization and occasionally use transit. This aims to include the perspectives of transit riders in the governance of public transportation systems, and meetings must be accessible by transit to facilitate their participation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds transit user representation to PTBA governance, enhancing rider input in transit decisions and strengthening public transit oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 5716: Expanding the locations where a person can be guilty of unlawful transit conduct to include the Washington state ferries.

Senate Bill 5716 expands the definition of "unlawful transit conduct" to include actions occurring on Washington State Ferries. This bill amends existing law (RCW 9.91.025) to explicitly include the Washington State Ferries under the definition of a "transit authority." As a result, behaviors such as smoking, littering, playing loud music without headphones, or consuming alcohol without authorization are now considered unlawful conduct when on or at ferry facilities. Individuals who violate these provisions on Washington State Ferries can be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding ferry locations to unlawful transit conduct definitions, increasing scope of punishable behaviors under existing law.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens transportation safety by explicitly including ferries under transit authority, enforcing rules against disruptive conduct to maintain order on public transit.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · House May 12, 2025

HB 1970: Concerning state highway construction project alternative contracting procedures.

House Bill 1970 modifies the procedures for state highway construction projects, primarily affecting the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The bill exempts WSDOT from needing to obtain certification or project-specific approval from a committee when using alternative contracting methods like "design-build" or "general contractor/construction manager." Additionally, it removes a previous monetary threshold for competitively bid highway construction contracts that may be constructed using a design-build procedure. These changes aim to streamline WSDOT's ability to utilize these alternative procurement methods for infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts WSDOT from approval requirements for highway construction, streamlining infrastructure projects. No funding cuts or restrictions mentioned.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 5764: Repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund.

SB 5764 repeals the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund. This action makes the fund permanent, ensuring its continued operation beyond a previously set deadline. The bill directly affects the longevity and stability of funding for ambulance transport services, impacting those who rely on these services and the providers themselves.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRepeals expiration of ambulance transport fund, ensuring permanent funding for emergency medical transportation services, directly supporting transportation infrastructure stability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation