Dear friends,
Welcome to our weekly Dispatch from Olympia and the first day of the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session! This email will arrive in your inbox early each week and provide highlights about what’s happening in the legislature, including upcoming events, the status of bills we’re tracking, and ways to take action.
Our weekly Dispatch is a great way to stay informed about the latest developments on legislation impacting Washington transportation.
If you haven’t already, check out Transportation Choices’ 2026 Legislative Agenda. You can also watch a recording of our Legislative Agenda Preview Event with Senator Marko Liias.
Our 2026 priorities for Washington’s elected leaders include:
- Enacting a “fix it first” approach to transportation spending. Washington State should prioritize our gas tax revenue to fully fund the maintenance of what we have rather than expanding freeways.
- Advancing a statewide Megaproject for Safety. Last year, we won $100 million to make state-owned roads safer for transit riders. Now, lawmakers must ensure it delivers results by directing WSDOT to create a clear, comprehensive plan for using these funds.
- Funding and expanding Washington’s Intercity Bus Program. The Travel Washington Intercity Bus Program provides vital transit access across the state. Last year’s $5 million investment expanded service and launched new routes, but $10 million per biennium in ongoing funding is needed.
- Aligning regional transportation planning for a low-carbon future. Washington law requires cutting pollution by 2050, but regional transportation plans lag behind. We should update planning rules to cut vehicle emissions and prioritize transit, walking, and biking as the state grows.
- Designing a progressive Road Usage Charge. The gas tax is not a long-term solution. Last year, a Road Usage Charge advanced as a bill and in the budget. Legislators should continue to work with stakeholders to explore a progressive road usage charge that includes funding for transit.
- Building light rail faster for riders. We must deliver light rail projects faster. Extending Sound Transit’s bonding authority to 75 years to match peer agencies would give them the flexibility to deliver projects sooner.
This year, the legislative session is a short 60 days that begins today, January 12th, and runs through March 12th. The short session means that instead of passing a new budget, legislators will pass a supplemental budget that is based on the biennial budget they passed last year. A big focus for them will be addressing the operating budget shortfall in the supplemental operating budget. We anticipate that bills with a fiscal impact will face a difficult path forward. Our focus outside of our priorities above will be watching for and addressing changes in the supplemental transportation budget.
This week, we’re tracking the following:
- A public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 4 PM on the transportation budget proposed by Governor Ferguson (SB 6005)
- A public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 4 PM on the transportation budget proposed by Governor Ferguson (HB 2306)
- A work session in the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 4 PM, where senators will hear from Washington Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith, and discuss the preservation needs of Washington State ferries and local highways.
This year’s session is hybrid so you can testify, sign in on bills, or engage with legislators virtually and in person. When bills in committee have a public hearing, you can sign in as “pro,” “con,” or “other,” submit written comments, or sign up to testify. We’ll make sure to let you know about important opportunities to take action.
You can learn more about the legislative session and committee schedules on the Washington State Legislature website. The Senate Transportation Committee will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 6 PM, and the House Transportation Committee will meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4 – 6 PM.
Finally, stay tuned for the launch of our Bill Tracker, where you can see the current status of important bills we’re following.
Ride on!
– Transportation Choices
