Transportation

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5890: Addressing reckless driving in cases involving excessive speed.

Washington's SB 5890 amends reckless driving laws to define driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit as reckless driving. It requires drivers convicted of reckless driving (from speeding violations) with prior offenses to install ignition interlock devices on all vehicles they operate. The bill also mandates a 150-day probation period after license suspension, during which drivers must use a functioning intelligent speed assistance device, with violations treated as traffic infractions. The changes take effect September 1, 2026, and expire January 1, 2029.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates ignition interlocks and probation for repeat speeding offenses, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization of traffic violations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends reckless driving laws to enhance road safety through stricter speed enforcement and mandatory safety devices for repeat offenders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2172: Concerning route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment.

HB 2172 proposes changes to how Washington State manages highway jurisdiction transfers. It requires a new review process by a transportation commission for requests to transfer state highways over two miles long or including bridges to county or city control. The commission must evaluate these requests using existing criteria focused on road connectivity, traffic volume, and regional importance before making recommendations. This bill directly affects counties, cities, and the state transportation commission by altering the procedure for road management decisions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires transportation commission review for highway jurisdiction transfers, ensuring evaluations on connectivity and regional importance to maintain infrastructure quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2203: Creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations.

HB 2203 creates a new offense for drivers who operate vehicles on public roadways closed due to emergencies (e.g., barricades, emergency vehicles), with two penalty levels: a serious misdemeanor for general violations, or a felony if the act causes injury to first responders or involves minors/vulnerable adults. Convicted individuals face license suspension (60-90 days) and must reimburse public agencies for emergency response costs, capped at $25,000 per incident. The bill directly affects drivers who ignore emergency closures, particularly those with minors in the vehicle or who endanger first responders. It establishes clear penalties and financial accountability for reckless interference during emergency operations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with felony penalties for drivers interfering with emergencies, expanding criminalization of non-violent conduct per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by penalizing reckless driving on emergency-closed roadways, protecting first responders and public safety during emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 5871: Regulating motor vehicle glass repair claims.

SB 5871 requires auto glass repair shops to inform vehicle owners about safety system calibration needs when repairing windshields or windows, including whether calibration is required, whether the shop will follow manufacturer specs, and alternatives if they cannot perform it. Shops must provide written updates on calibration success and disclose all fees upfront, including itemized bills and price estimates. The bill prohibits shops from offering rebates to steer claims or charging excessive fees, and bans false documentation about repair locations or damage dates. These rules apply directly to vehicle owners, repair shops, and insurers handling insurance-covered glass repairs in Washington.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates calibration safety checks during auto glass repairs to maintain vehicle safety systems, aligning with transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2111: Allowing the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to receive its proportionate share of earnings.

HB 2111 amends Washington state law to ensure the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account receives its proportionate share of investment earnings from the state treasury. The bill adds this specific account to a list of state funds that automatically receive earnings based on their average daily balance in the treasury. This change affects only the financial management of the I-5 bridge project's dedicated account, ensuring it benefits from the same investment returns as other similar state accounts. The bill does not create new funding or alter project scope - it simply corrects the accounting mechanism to include this account in existing earnings distribution rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnsures I-5 bridge project's dedicated account receives investment earnings, securing funding for critical infrastructure project.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5922: Authorizing transportation vehicle fund transfers.

SB 5922 allows Washington school districts to transfer funds from fully depreciated student transportation vehicles to other purposes, such as purchasing electric buses or installing charging stations, after receiving approval from the superintendent of public instruction. The bill modifies existing rules to permit this transfer when a district reduces its fleet due to declining enrollment or changing transportation needs. Funds in the dedicated "transportation vehicle fund" must still be used exclusively for school bus-related expenses, including electric vehicle conversions, major repairs, or charging infrastructure. It directly affects school districts managing student transportation fleets, ensuring funds remain tied to transportation purposes while enabling modernization efforts. The change streamlines how districts reallocate resources from older vehicles without compromising future transportation planning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows school districts to redirect funds for electric buses/charging stations, improving school transportation infrastructure and access, a direct educational infrastructure support.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly permits funds for electric buses and charging stations, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure investment in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes fund transfers for electric buses/charging stations, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and modernizing school transit fleets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Public Transit

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2095: Protecting vulnerable users of public ways.

HB 2095 creates new legal protections for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) in designated areas like sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. It requires law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges to complete training on negligent driving involving these users by 2027-2028. The bill establishes a legal presumption of negligence when a vulnerable user is injured or killed in a designated area, shifting the burden to vehicle operators to prove they weren't negligent. Plaintiffs can recover actual damages, $1,500 in statutory damages, and attorney fees, with punitive damages possible for repeat offenders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes legal presumption of negligence for vehicle operators when vulnerable users are harmed, enhancing road safety standards for pedestrians/cyclists in designated areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 5820: Concerning the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan.

SB 5820 requires certain counties (those with over 400,000 residents, west of the Cascade Mountains, and bordering another state) to include a "freight rail dependent use overlay" in the transportation section of their comprehensive plans. This zoning tool would allow counties to permit development like warehouses or distribution centers near rail lines without conflicting with protections for agricultural, forest, or mineral lands. The bill amends existing state law to mandate this specific overlay for qualifying counties, directly affecting their land-use planning processes and development approvals near freight rail corridors. It does not change current protections for agricultural or forest lands but provides a mechanism for compatible freight-related development.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates counties to integrate freight rail infrastructure into transportation planning, enabling logistics development near rail lines without conflicting with land protections, thus strengthening transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 5858: Providing pupil transportation safety net funding for special passengers.

SB 5858 creates a new state funding program to cover extra transportation costs for school districts serving students with specific needs. It provides reimbursements for documented excess costs beyond regular transportation funding when serving three groups: students requiring transportation as part of their special education plan, homeless students under federal law, and foster youth. Districts must report these excess costs and the specific services causing them, and funding comes from state appropriations - not basic education funds. Charter and tribal schools are also eligible for these reimbursements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state funding program for school transportation costs, increasing government spending on public services for vulnerable students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state funding for transportation costs serving special education, homeless, and foster youth students, directly advancing educational access and support for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds school transportation costs for special needs students, homeless youth, and foster youth through state reimbursement program, directly advancing transportation services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Special Education Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2134: Concerning regional transportation plans, of regional transportation planning organizations containing certain counties, providing for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.

HB 2134 requires regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) serving specific counties to include measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in their transportation plans. It applies only to counties meeting strict criteria: those with high population density (100+ people/sq mi, 200,000+ population), river-bordering counties with growth rates ≥1.65%, or counties west of the Cascades with ≥130,000 residents. The bill mandates RTPOs to develop integrated regional plans that prioritize cost-effective projects, coordinate across county lines, and include financial strategies, while requiring biennial plan reviews. These plans must balance regional mobility with climate goals, focusing on existing infrastructure efficiency and transportation demand management.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates measurable GHG emissions reductions in transportation planning, directly advancing climate goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence through VMT targets.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and VMT for specified RTPOs, directly advancing climate goals and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates RTPOs to include measurable GHG and VMT reductions in transportation plans, promoting sustainable transit infrastructure per bill's core requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track