Transportation (Pedestrian Safety)

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6131: Updating the role of the Washington traffic safety commission in identifying the risk factors that lead to roadway fatalities.

This bill updates the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's role to focus on identifying contributing factors that lead to roadway fatalities and serious injuries. It amends existing laws to clarify that information from traffic fatality reviews is confidential and exempt from public disclosure, protecting sensitive data used in safety investigations. The legislation also adds new definitions for key terms like "bicyclist fatality," "pedestrian fatality," and "serious injury" to ensure consistent understanding across the commission's work. Additionally, the bill expands the commission's authority to operate as a public health authority while maintaining confidentiality for specific health-related records involved in traffic safety reviews.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by improving traffic fatality review processes and protecting sensitive safety data, directly supporting roadway safety initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6311: Providing for continuous, safe, and accessible pedestrian passage during certain construction projects.

SB 6311 requires construction permittees to maintain continuous, accessible pedestrian pathways during projects in hospital zones (within 300 feet of hospital property), public parks, schools, and other sensitive areas. It prohibits sidewalk closures unless a feasible same-side temporary route cannot be provided, mandating ADA-compliant pathways with physical barriers, lighting, and unobstructed emergency access. Permittees must submit safety plans analyzing accessibility and emergency routes, with enforcement including stop-work orders for violations. The law applies to all local governments and entities performing permitted work in these zones, effective January 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates accessible pedestrian pathways during construction in sensitive areas, enhancing safety and accessibility in transportation infrastructure, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2192: Updating the role of the Washington traffic safety commission in identifying the risk factors that lead to roadway fatalities.

HB 2192 updates Washington's Traffic Safety Commission to more systematically identify risk factors causing roadway fatalities. It establishes a new "fatality review committee" of traffic safety experts to analyze collisions resulting in death or serious injury, including those involving bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. The bill amends the Commission's purpose to focus explicitly on identifying these risk factors and coordinating statewide safety programs. This change directly affects the Commission's operations and how collision data is reviewed to inform future safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes fatality review committee to analyze roadway deaths and coordinate safety programs, directly enhancing transportation safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1518: Establishing liability standards for certain vehicle collisions.

HB 1518 establishes a legal presumption that major vehicle operators (weighing 200+ lbs or exceeding 28 mph) are negligent in collisions involving pedestrians, bicycles, or minor vehicles. This applies in civil lawsuits, shifting the burden to the operator to prove they were not at fault. If the operator is found negligent, plaintiffs can recover actual damages plus $1,500 in statutory damages, plus attorney fees if the negligence presumption was disputed. The bill also presumes vehicle owners are responsible if the operator is unknown, and includes specific definitions for terms like "major motor vehicle" and "pedestrian."

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens pedestrian/bike safety by presuming negligence against large vehicles in collisions, advancing transportation safety standards through legal accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1513: Safeguarding natural resources in the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area.

HB 1513 establishes specific protections for Washington's Seashore Conservation Area, which includes state-owned coastal lands between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point, and other defined zones. The bill mandates that 40% of beach areas under recreation management plans must be reserved for pedestrian use year-round, with motorized vehicle access restricted from April 15 to Labor Day. It also requires special pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, after consultation with wildlife officials. Local governments may adopt stricter rules, and management plans must consider factors like public safety, habitat protection, and economic impacts. The bill directly affects state parks management, local communities, and beach users through these access and conservation requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates pedestrian zones, restricts vehicle access during key seasons, and protects salmon spawning habitats - directly advancing conservation of coastal ecosystems and natural resources.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRestricts motorized vehicle access on beaches during specific seasons and near salmon streams, directly limiting transportation use in conservation zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Parks & Recreation Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1226: Making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium.

HB 1226 allocates $2.7 million from the Multimodal Transportation Account to fund the University of Washington’s sidewalk accessibility mapping project, requiring public data sharing and prioritizing overburdened communities. It also appropriates $1 million to the Washington State Transportation Center for engineering internships, training programs, and a workforce analysis addressing shortages in civil engineering and related fields. Additionally, $6 million from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Account funds zero-emission electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state facilities, with reporting requirements on installation locations and carbon impact. The bill mandates annual project updates to legislative committees and prioritizes installations based on state environmental goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.7M and $1M for transportation infrastructure and workforce programs, advancing budget appropriations for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2.7M for UW sidewalk accessibility (higher ed infrastructure) and $1M for engineering internships/workforce training, directly funding education-related initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $6M from Carbon Emissions Reduction fund, directly funding climate action. Explicit reference to emissions reduction confirms environmental intent.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $2.7M for sidewalk mapping, $1M for transportation workforce training, and $6M for carbon reduction - funding infrastructure and sustainable transit projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Climate Change Electric Vehicles Pedestrian Safety Transportation Funding

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5581: Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

Senate Bill 5581 aims to enhance safety and expand active transportation infrastructure across Washington state. The bill requires state and local agencies to incorporate facilities like trails and shared-use paths for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists into highway planning and construction, ensuring connectivity and providing alternatives if existing paths are impacted. It authorizes the Department of Transportation and local governments to expend funds for planning, establishing, and maintaining these facilities. Additionally, the legislation defines "roundabout" and updates the definition of "crosswalk" within state law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates integration of pedestrian/bike infrastructure into highway planning and authorizes funding for active transportation projects, advancing sustainable mobility infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1405: Reducing the requirements of complete streets obligations for transportation projects.

HB 1405 reduces requirements for "complete streets" in Washington state transportation projects by exempting smaller projects and routine maintenance from previously mandated pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure. Specifically, it excludes projects under $500,000, chip sealing, repairs, and repaving from needing sidewalks, bike lanes, or accessibility features. The bill also adds an exception allowing the transportation department to skip these requirements if facilities don’t exist for "justifiable reasons," such as safety concerns or unreasonable costs. This change applies to state highway projects starting design after July 1, 2022, while maintaining existing obligations for larger projects.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationReduces mandates for pedestrian/bike infrastructure in smaller projects, weakening complete streets requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1772: Establishing shared streets.

HB 1772 establishes "shared streets" in Washington state, where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share the same roadway space. Local governments can designate nonarterial streets as shared streets using official traffic signs, requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians and cyclists while cyclists must yield to pedestrians. The bill also allows local authorities to set a 10 mph speed limit specifically on designated shared streets without needing an engineering study. This directly affects local governments (which can designate these streets), pedestrians, cyclists, micromobility device users (like e-scooters), and drivers navigating these shared spaces.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes pedestrian/cyclist safety through shared streets and 10 mph speed limits, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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