HB 2517 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Providing for enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects.

HB 2517 streamlines permitting for high-capacity transit projects like rail systems by giving regional transit authorities new tools. It allows transit agencies to apply for land use and construction permits before owning property (with owner notice), and to build rail facilities that exceed local height/setback rules when necessary. The bill also requires written property owner permission before issuing permits for transit projects on private land. These changes apply specifically to transit authorities under Chapter 81.112 RCW and aim to accelerate major transit infrastructure development.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Feb 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to clarify that regional transit authorities must notify property owners before applying for permits on non-owned land. It also expanded exemptions to allow regional transit authorities to acquire land for facilities without triggering subdivision laws. Additionally, a new section was added to streamline how local governments review project permit applications for transit authorities.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes regional transit authorities in exemptions regarding land division laws and adds specific requirements for permit applications involving non-owned property.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement that regional transit authorities must provide proof of notice to property owners when applying for permits on land they do not own.

Updated exemptions to include regional transit authorities acquiring land to build facilities, replacing the previous reference to agencies with condemnation authority.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring local governments to issue written determinations on project permit application completeness within 28 days.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the effective date and expiration schedule for the new sections in the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.

lower

1 primary · 15 co-sponsors