A busy year for Washington transportation policy

Several significant transportation policies were considered by the Legislature this year. Some of the major policy conversations included the drafting of a two-year transportation budget (HB 1160), the consideration of a new transportation funding package (HB 5971), and tolling along certain, much-traveled stretches of state highways (HB 5825). While Sen. Hobbs’ (D–Lake Stevens) 10-year, $17 billion transportation package did not pass this year, it will likely be heatedly discussed during the interim and be back, in some form, during the 2020 legislative session.

There were several city-specific transportation bills that passed this session. Several bills concerned the emerging transportation policy issue of micromobility, which includes electric scooters (HB 1772) and personal delivery robots (HB 1325). Both bills were amended to include provisions that retain local government regulatory authority and will stand as important examples of local control as the micromobility policy conversation matures. Cities also benefited from the passage of Rep. Ramos’ (D–Issaquah) HB 2038, which repealed a burdensome state-mandated pavement data reporting requirement.

Over the objections of local governments, SB 5505 passed this year, reinstating problematic administrative requirements for local governments seeking stormwater fees from state facilities. However, there were several bills which died that, if passed, would have had added significant costs or burdens to local governments. Examples include the repeal of local government tolling authority (SB 5104), state regulation of transportation network companies (SB 5926), and a mandate to electrify public vehicle fleets (HB 1832).

The Legislature chose not to enact Initiative 976, so this “car tabs” bill will be presented to voters during the next general election in November 2019. If passed, it will have a significant impact on state and local transportation revenues, including the elimination of fee revenue for city Transportation Benefit Districts. Learn more about I-976’s impact at AWC’s I-976 webpage.

The interim will be full of studies and committee meetings with implications for Washington’s transportation system. Studies on statewide transportation priorities and electrification of public fleets will commence, and a Joint Transportation Committee study concerning the fiscal conditions of city transportation systems will conclude. Watch for our monthly Legislative Bulletin emails to keep updated on these issues and more.

Transportation bills