An Important Deadline Approaches

by | Feb 24, 2025 | Advocacy, Dispatch From Olympia

Image of the capitol building in Olympia on a green background with a blue fade overlay. Text reads "Dispatch from Olympia: Your guide to the Washington State Legislative Session"

Dear friends,

This coming Friday, Feb. 28th, marks an important deadline for many of the bills we’re tracking: the fiscal committee cutoff. It’s the last day to move bills in any of the House or Senate fiscal committees. This includes both Transportation Committees, the House Capital Budget, Finance, and Appropriations Committees along with the Senate Ways & Means Committee. (Bills needed to be passed out of policy committees by last Friday, Feb. 21st). We’ll have a lot of updates for you next week on which transportation bills are still “alive” after this coming cutoff. In the meantime, check out our Bill Tracker to see the current status of bills we’re tracking.

Last Tuesday, we testified in support of the Senate version of a Road Usage Charge bill (SB 5726) to help secure new long-term funding for transportation in the face of declining gas tax revenue. This bill, like its counterpart in the House, would secure a dedicated long-term funding source for preservation and maintenance projects, and generate new revenue to fund transit, walking, and biking! As of today, advocates like you have sent more than 3,500 letters to members of the House and Senate transportation committee voicing your support for the bill. Thank you!

Screenshot of TCC Executive Director Kirk Hovenkotter testifying to the Senate Transportation Committee. Inset is a slide from his presentation showing two young people walking along Aurora Ave N where there is no sidewalk.

Finally, last Thursday, TCC’s executive director, Kirk Hovenkotter, gave presentations to the Senate Transportation Committee and the Washington State Transportation Commission about our Megaproject for Safety proposal. We’ve been advocating that the state invest $150 million per year to transform dangerous state-owned roadways into safe, livable streets for people, and there’s growing  interest and momentum in this idea! Check out our one-pager and blog post for more info.

Keep reading for updates on some of the bills we’re following and opportunities to take action.

Ride on!

– Transportation Choices

What's Coming Up This Week

Today, Monday, Feb. 24th

  • A bill to implement safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure (HB 1992) will be heard in the House Transportation Committee at 1:30 PM. This bill would help prioritize active transportation in WSDOT construction projects and programs by integrating shared-use paths, trails, roundabouts and Complete Streets principles. Join us in signing in “Pro” here!

Tuesday, Feb. 25th

  • A bill promoting transit-oriented development (HB 1491) will be heard in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 9:00 AM. This bill would require cities to allow more density near light rail and bus rapid transit stops. Sign in “Pro” here. 

  • A bill concerning impaired driving (SB 5067) will have an executive session in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM. This bill would lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for impaired driving from .08 to .05.

        What Happened Last Week

        A bill concerning minimum parking requirements (SB 5184) passed out of the Senate! This bill would limit parking minimums as a requirement for development. You can read more about it from our friends at The Urbanist here.

        A bill concerning job postings requiring driver’s licenses (SB 5501) was moved to a second reading in the Senate. This bill would help ensure nondrivers are not unfairly barred from job opportunities.

        A bill establishing shared streets (SB 5595) was moved forward to a second reading in the Senate. This bill would legalize a type of street where cars are allowed, but pedestrians are the priority, and the speed limit is 10 mph.

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