HB 1980 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Mar 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Substitute Bill Substitute Passed Legislature · 2 edits
MINOR
The document was updated from a draft version to the final enrolled bill passed by the legislature. The primary changes involve updating the legislative session year from 2025 to 2026 and adding official certification text confirming that both the House and Senate approved the bill.
TIMELINE

The legislative session year was changed from 2025 to 2026 to reflect the actual session in which the bill passed.

TECHNICAL

Official certification text was added, including signatures and dates confirming the bill was passed by both chambers of the legislature.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House Jan 15, 2026

How they voted

500
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
19 Yea 1
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
35
Key actions
13
Committee
9
Mar 17, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0-1)
senate
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
TRAN - Majority; do pass.
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 2:30 PM.
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors