Transportation

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5705: Improving traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for certain traffic infractions.

Senate Bill 5705 aims to improve traffic safety by increasing financial penalties for certain traffic infractions in Washington State. The bill imposes double fines for drivers who commit a second or subsequent violation of offenses like following too closely, speeding, or negligent driving within a two-year period. It also establishes an additional fine for drivers found following a "vulnerable user of a public way" too closely. Funds from this specific additional fine will be deposited into a new vulnerable roadway user education account to support awareness programs for law enforcement and the public.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for traffic violations to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5649: Creating a Washington state supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program.

SB 5649 establishes the Washington state supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to enhance the state's ability to compete in global trade. The bill creates a collaborative process involving state agencies and various supply chain stakeholders to set priorities for infrastructure investments. It also creates a dedicated account in the state treasury to provide grants and revolving loans. These funds are for public ports and federally recognized tribal governments with port operations, to improve ground and maritime transportation and facilities. Projects must align with goals such as economic, safety, or environmental benefits for freight movement, and sustaining international trade.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated treasury account for infrastructure grants/loans, allocating state funds to support supply chain projects and public ports.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds port infrastructure (a transportation component) via grants/loans for public ports and tribal governments, directly advancing transportation infrastructure investment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5238: Addressing reckless driving in cases involving excessive speed.

This bill expands the definition of reckless driving in Washington state to include intentionally driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. This change means that drivers found guilty of this specific act would face the existing penalties for reckless driving. These penalties include a gross misdemeanor charge, potential imprisonment for up to 364 days, fines up to $5,000, and a license suspension of at least 30 days. The new provisions are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization of speeding by defining >30 mph over limit as reckless driving, imposing gross misdemeanor penalties (jail, fines, license suspension). This increases punitive measures, opposing reform trends.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands reckless driving penalties to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards through stricter enforcement of speed limits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Transportation

Track

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

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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