Dear friends,
Before we dig into state updates, we first want to share a quick federal update, because what happens on the national level affects what we do at the state level.
Transportation for America has an excellent analysis of how the federal funding freeze and new memos from the U.S. Department of Transportation could put at risk more than $20 billion in federal funding for transportation projects across the nation, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars here in Washington State. In response, state and local advocates across the nation are raising the alarm with their legislators. We’re tracking this closely and will have more updates for you soon.
A New Road Usage Charge Bill Has Dropped!
The biggest news of the week here in Washington is that Representative Jake Fey, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, has introduced a Road Usage Charge bill (HB 1921) to help secure new long-term funding for transportation in the face of declining gas tax revenue.
A Road Usage Charge is a per-mile fee that drivers pay, rather than paying for gallons of gas they purchase. It would help ensure that all drivers contribute fairly to funding Washington’s transportation system, regardless of vehicle type, fuel efficiency, or whether they drive an electric or gas-powered car.
We’re excited that the bill creates a dedicated funding source for the preservation and maintenance of Washington’s roadways, as well as a new long-term funding source for transit, walking, and biking. The bill’s commitment to use Road Usage Charge revenue to fix the transportation infrastructure we have instead of building new highway projects is a huge win that could signal the end of the era of highway expansion in Washington State.
Roads and bridges across our state are in dire need of repair and redesigns, but preservation and maintenance are chronically underfunded. In 2019, WSDOT indicated it needed at least $1.24 billion a year to ensure a transportation system in minimum acceptable condition at the lowest cost, and we know the need has grown since then. Having a dedicated revenue source for this work would be a big deal. And Washington’s Complete Streets mandate ensures that as the state conducts preservation and maintenance work, it invests in things like crosswalks, bike lanes, and transit access to make our roads safer and more accessible for all users.
A road undergoing a redesign. (Source: Moule & Polyzoides.)
This bill also includes a 10% assessment on top of the Road Usage Charge that would be dedicated exclusively to non-highway spending on things like transit, walking, and biking. This would be an important new revenue source to fund more bus service, bus rapid transit, and intercity transit, as well as sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and safe crossing infrastructure in communities across the state.
Our goal now is to ensure that the bill doesn’t lose its commitment to preservation and maintenance funding or its 10% assessment for transit, walking, and biking. We’ll keep you posted on ways to support the bill as soon as it’s scheduled for a hearing.
Ride on!
– Transportation Choices
P.S. Check out our 2025 Bill Tracker for the status of other priority transportation bills we’re monitoring and supporting. And keep reading for more updates on bill hearings this week, with opportunities to take action!
What's Coming Up This Week
Today, Monday, Feb. 10
- A “traffic safety for all” bill (HB 1512) from our partners at the ACLU will be heard in the House Community Safety Committee at 1:30 PM. This bill would help people address issues with their vehicles like broken taillights or windscreens instead of getting pulled over and ticketed. You can sign in “Pro” here.
- A bill to establish shared streets (HB 1772 / SB 5595) will be heard in both the House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee at 4 PM today. This bill would legalize a type of street where cars are allowed, but pedestrians are the priority, and where the speed limit is 10 mph, similar to Seattle’s “Stay Healthy” streets. Please join us in signing in “Pro” in both the House and the Senate committees.
- A bill to implement safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure (SB 5581) will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee at 4 PM. You can sign in “Pro” here.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 11
- A bill to extend the commute trip reduction tax credit (HB 1043) will be heard in the House Finance Committee at 8 AM. This tax credit is set to expire, and this bill would renew the credit as well as expand it to additional businesses. Please sign in “Pro” here.
