wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > SB 5161 > Engrossed Substitute
The transportation budget of the state is hereby adopted and, subject to the provisions set forth, the several amounts specified, or as much thereof as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes designated, are hereby appropriated from the several accounts and funds named to the designated state agencies and offices for employee compensation and other expenses, for capital projects, and for other specified purposes, including the payment of any final judgments arising out of such activities, for the period ending June 30, 2027.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this subsection apply throughout this act.
"Fiscal year 2026" or "FY 2026" means the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
"Fiscal year 2027" or "FY 2027" means the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
"FTE" means full-time equivalent.
"Lapse" or "revert" means the amount shall return to an unappropriated status.
"Provided solely" means the specified amount may be spent only for the specified purpose. Unless otherwise specifically authorized in this act, any portion of an amount provided solely for a specified purpose that is not expended subject to the specified conditions and limitations to fulfill the specified purpose shall lapse.
"Reappropriation" means appropriation and, unless the context clearly provides otherwise, is subject to the relevant conditions and limitations applicable to appropriations.
"LEAP" means the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
FOR THE UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: In the process of marine pilotage rate-setting under RCW 81.116.020, the commission must consider a temporary budget adjustment fee, not to exceed 10 percent of the pilotage account—state balance based on legislative financial assumptions. For rate-making purposes, the temporary fee is considered a normal operating expense of the pilotage commission, including all taxes and fees imposed or increased under chapter 81.16 RCW. Filing for pass-through of the fee is not considered a general rate.
FOR THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM COMMITTEE
FOR THE OFFICE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
2.The office of minority and women's business enterprises and the department of transportation's office of equity and civil rights must develop two new business-size thresholds within the office's certification program. The two new thresholds must include emerging small businesses and rising small businesses with gross receipts of no more than (a) $3,000,000 and (b) $10,000,000. This work must evaluate all state-funded contracts over $50,000,000 for emerging small business goals, rising small business goals, small business goals, or any combination thereof. The office of equity and civil rights and the office of minority and women's business enterprises must submit a report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature by November 1, 2025, on this work and any recommendations on next steps.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$4,920,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for a tribal electric boat grant program. Federally recognized tribes, tribal enterprises, and tribal members are eligible to apply for grant funds for the purchase of or conversion to electric motors and engines for fishing vessels.
$15,000,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the office of renewable fuels within the department to establish an alternative jet fuels infrastructure competitive grant program.
$6,850,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for a Cascadia sustainable aviation fuel institute or accelerator to advance sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem build out, develop regional partnerships, and promote market adoption of sustainable aviation fuel within Washington state and the entire Cascadia region.
$2,000,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely to Snohomish county for preconstruction and site readiness activities related to the sustainable aviation fuel research and development center at Paine Field.
$6,500,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for a zero emission drayage truck demonstration project.
$200,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5746) (electric vehicle charger property crime advisory committee). If chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5746) is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE BOARD OF PILOTAGE COMMISSIONERS
FOR THE ECONOMIC AND REVENUE FORECAST COUNCIL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely to the state office of equity to contract with an independent consultant to conduct the studies, evaluations, and reporting functions required in RCW 43.06D.060(2), and for the office to conduct the work specified in RCW 43.06D.060 (1) and (3).
FOR THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $108,000 of highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington state institute for public policy, in consultation with the Washington traffic safety commission and other entities as it deems appropriate, to begin to develop an inventory of evidence-based, research-based, policies and programs aimed at reducing impaired driving and the resulting traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
In the first phase of this effort, the institute must create an initial inventory of the national and international research associated with the following impaired driving public policies and programs:
Lowering the blood alcohol concentration for purposes of impaired driving from the current .08 level;
Sobriety checkpoints; and
Increased enforcement and penalties.
By June 30, 2026, the institute shall publish a report with preliminary information identifying the projected costs and benefits of implementing the policies and programs identified in subsection (1) of this subsection, including a preliminary assessment of the comparative benefits associated with each policy and program. The report must also include recommendations on additional phases to expand the inventory of the national and international research associated with policies and programs aimed at reducing impaired driving, and conducting further cost-benefit analysis in this area.
FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $200,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for the University of Washington's mobility innovation center to conduct transportation-related research in partnership with the department of transportation, private sector, and local transportation agencies.
FOR WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $1,200,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely to Washington State University for staff and support services for the temporary sustainable aviation fuel research and development center at Paine Field.
FOR THE WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,500,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for a pilot program for dedicated probation or compliance officers at the local level to improve compliance with ignition interlock device installation requirements associated with impaired driving offenses. The commission must select locations based on an assessment of ignition interlock device compliance rates, and the willingness and ability to have staff dedicated to this activity. The commission must provide to the transportation committees of the legislature a preliminary status report on the specific locations selected and any outcome information by December 1, 2025, with a final report due by June 30, 2027.
$350,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely to complete an annual report on impacts of the automated traffic safety cameras used in the state as required in RCW 46.63.220(6)(b)(ii), beginning July 1, 2026.
FOR THE COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION BOARD
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Within appropriated funds, the county road administration board may opt in as provided under RCW 70A.02.030 to assume all of the substantive and procedural requirements of covered agencies under chapter 70A.02 RCW. The board shall include in its 2025 and 2026 annual reports to the legislature a progress report on opting into the healthy environment for all act and a status report on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the board's jurisdiction.
$1,250,000 of the rural arterial trust account—state appropriation and $1,250,000 of the county arterial preservation account—state appropriation are provided solely for a grant program to assist counties and cities with the costs associated with obtaining a new federal highway administration load rating for bridges to accommodate legal loads as authorized under RCW 46.44.041.
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: Within appropriated funds, the transportation improvement board may opt in as provided under RCW 70A.02.030 to assume all of the substantive and procedural requirements of covered agencies under chapter 70A.02 RCW. The board shall include in its 2025 and 2026 annual reports to the legislature a progress report on opting into the healthy environment for all act and a status report on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the board's jurisdiction.
FOR THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$75,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is for the joint transportation committee, in collaboration with the facilities program within the department of transportation, to evaluate the cost and benefits associated with having the facilities program take on full responsibility for planning and support of some or all of the facilities currently operated by the Washington state ferries. The joint transportation committee must provide a preliminary assessment, including any recommendations, by December 1, 2025. The joint transportation committee must prepare a final report, including any recommendations, by October 1, 2026.
$390,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the joint transportation committee, from amounts set aside out of statewide fuel taxes distributed to cities according to RCW 46.68.110(2), for the following activities:
$250,000 is for the contracting for a facilitator for the process of updating the memorandum of understanding reached by the association of Washington cities and the Washington state department of transportation in 2013 for the construction, operations, and maintenance responsibilities for city streets as part of state highways. With the help of the facilitator, a work group must be convened to collaborate on updating the agreement and developing recommendations for maintaining the agreement. Work group participants must consist of six members representing cities, appointed by the association of Washington cities, and six members of the Washington state department of transportation. The final work of the facilitated process must be completed by June 2027.
$140,000 is for the joint transportation committee to contract for an update to the 2019 assessment of city transportation funding needs to assess the current state of city transportation funding, identify emerging issues, and recommend funding sources to meet current and future needs. The association of Washington cities and the Washington department of transportation shall provide technical support to the study. The joint transportation committee must issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by September 2026.
$75,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is for the joint transportation committee to continue the alternative project delivery methods and innovative practices study under section 204(9), chapter 310, Laws of 2024. The next phase of the study must provide additional consultation on collaborative procurement and contracting approaches that may be used by the Washington state department of transportation in public works contracting to increase contract competition and support containing costs and project delivery schedule. A supplemental report on findings and recommendations, including any changes in current practice and statutory requirements, is due to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2025.
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
To generate savings and efficiencies, the commission shall conduct its meetings either in Olympia or virtually.
Within the parameters established under RCW 47.56.880, the commission shall review toll revenue performance on the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor and adjust Interstate 405 tolls as appropriate to increase toll revenue to provide sufficient funds for payments of future debt pursuant to RCW 47.10.896 and to support improvements to the corridor. The commission shall consider adjusting maximum toll rates, minimum toll rates, day-of-week rates and time-of-day rates, and restricting direct access ramps to transit and HOV vehicles only, or any combination thereof, in setting tolls to increase toll revenue. The commission is encouraged to make any adjustments to toll rates in coordination with the planned expansion of express toll lanes between the cities of Renton and Bellevue.
The commission, in coordination with the department of transportation, shall study the potential costs, impacts to toll rates, and policy options related to continuing tolls to cover operations and maintenance costs on the Tacoma Narrows bridge after financing obligations are satisfied. The commission must report on this work as part of its 2026 Tacoma Narrows bridge loan update.
The commission must evaluate and consider temporary toll rate adjustments for the state route number 99 tunnel to support management of increased demand leading up to and during the 2026 World Cup.
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$200,000 of the state route number 520 corridor account—state appropriation and $200,000 of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account—state appropriation are provided solely for the commission to conduct a pilot project of advanced tolling technology provided by a private sector vendor that offers toll collections via global positioning system utilizing multiple geofences that can collect tolls in low or no-signal environments. The commission shall retain a separate independent third-party vendor who can provide expert oversight, guidance, and advisement on the work, including: The pilot design; the evaluation plan; data analysis; participant survey design and data analysis; structuring industry briefings; and reporting on findings.
The pilot project must operate for up to three months on an existing tolled facility. The purpose of the pilot project is to determine the potential for increasing operational efficiencies and lowering costs of toll collections. The commission shall carry out the pilot project in collaboration with the Washington state department of transportation, which must at a minimum support participant recruitment and provide tolling transaction data for the participants in support of conducting a comparative performance assessment between the current roadway toll system and the pilot project technology. At a minimum, the pilot must: Be a simulation with no real money being collected; include up to 200 participants; and include a survey of participants that is conducted at the end of the pilot to gather input on the driver experience using the advanced technology tested.
In addition to the pilot project, the commission shall carry out the following activities:
Serve as an active observer of an advanced tolling technology project being conducted on an interstate in Utah in collaboration with the Utah department of transportation and the Washington state department of transportation; and
Host briefings during the 2025 interim, with private sector vendors who are not part of the pilot project in (a) of this subsection, but who are testing or operating advanced tolling technology in other states.
A final report of findings is due to the transportation committees of the legislature by January 1, 2026. The report must, at a minimum: Outline the technology tested; provide a comparison of system performance, operations, costs, and revenue collection efficiencies between the test system and the roadway toll system in use today; assess the requirements for achieving compatibility with the existing back-office system; provide participant survey results and feedback; provide peer learnings and results discovered pursuant to (c)(i) of this subsection; and provide recommendations on next steps.
FOR THE FREIGHT MOBILITY STRATEGIC INVESTMENT BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: Within appropriated funds, the freight mobility strategic investment board may opt in as provided under RCW 70A.02.030 to assume all of the substantive and procedural requirements of covered agencies under chapter 70A.02 RCW. The board shall include in its 2025 and 2026 annual reports to the legislature a progress report on opting into the healthy environment for all act and a status report on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the board's jurisdiction.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$580,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for the operation of and administrative support to the license investigation unit to enforce vehicle registration laws in southwestern Washington. The Washington state patrol, in consultation with the department of revenue, shall maintain a running estimate of the additional vehicle registration fees, sales and use taxes, and local vehicle fees remitted to the state pursuant to activity conducted by the license investigation unit. Beginning October 1, 2025, and semiannually thereafter, the Washington state patrol shall submit a report detailing the additional revenue amounts generated since July 1, 2023, to the director of the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature. At the end of the fiscal quarter in which it is estimated that more than $625,000 in state sales and use taxes have been remitted to the state since July 1, 2023, the Washington state patrol shall notify the state treasurer and the state treasurer shall transfer funds pursuant to section 406 of this act.
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$250,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for the activities of a vehicle registration pilot program in the Puget Sound region. The pilot program must emphasize compliance with annual vehicle registration requirements. By February 15, 2026, the Washington state patrol must provide a status report on pilot program implementation.
The Washington state patrol must provide information on the funding needed and a preliminary plan for statewide implementation of activities related to ensuring compliance with annual vehicle registration in the report under (a) of this subsection.
Washington state patrol officers engaged in off-duty uniformed employment providing traffic control services to the department of transportation or other state agencies may use state patrol vehicles for the purpose of that employment, subject to guidelines adopted by the chief of the Washington state patrol. The Washington state patrol must be reimbursed for the use of the vehicle at the prevailing state employee rate for mileage and hours of usage, subject to guidelines developed by the chief of the Washington state patrol.
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By December 1st of each year during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the Washington state patrol must report to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of recruitment and retention activities as follows:
A summary of recruitment and retention strategies;
The number of transportation funded staff vacancies by major category;
The number of applicants for each of the positions by these categories;
The composition of workforce;
Other relevant outcome measures with comparative information with recent comparable months in prior years; and
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$8,504,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for the land mobile radio system replacement, upgrade, and other related activities.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Washington state patrol must report semiannually to the office of the chief information officer on the progress related to the projects and activities associated with the land mobile radio system, including the governance structure, outcomes achieved in the prior six-month time period, and how the activities are being managed holistically as recommended by the office of the chief information officer. At the time of submittal to the office of the chief information officer, the report must be transmitted to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature.
$2,610,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for enhancing the state patrol's diversity, equity, and inclusion program, a community engagement program to improve relationships with historically underrepresented communities and to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, and contracting with an external psychologist to perform exams. The state patrol must work with the state office of equity and meet all reporting requirements and responsibilities pursuant to RCW 43.06D.060. Funds provided for the community engagement program must ensure engagement with communities throughout the state.
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$8,109,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for costs associated with the work zone speed safety camera pilot program with the amounts for specific activities as follows:
$2,679,000 for the Washington state patrol's oversight, administrative, overtime, and other costs associated with the processing of work zone speed violations;
$3,974,000 for interagency reimbursements to the office of administrative hearings for adjudication related expenses associated with work zone speed violations; and
$1,456,000 for interagency reimbursements to the office of attorney general for legal guidance and adjudication related expenses associated with work zone speed violations.
By December 1st of each year during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the Washington state patrol, in conjunction with the other agencies involved in the work zone speed safety camera pilot program, must report on the number of deployments and locations, workload, violations issued, detailed expenses incurred by each agency in the pilot program, and efficiency measures each agency is taking in operating the pilot program in the most cost-effective manner possible.
By December 1, 2026, the Washington state patrol must provide a report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature on the status of McClain v. Washington State Patrol and an update on legal expenses associated with the case.
Within existing resources, the Washington state patrol must offer a minimum of 14 emergency vehicle operator courses per year at its Shelton driving track exclusively for basic law enforcement academies offered by the criminal justice training commission.
It is the intent of the legislature to address any demographic disparities that might exist regarding traffic stops initiated by troopers, including traffic stops of indigenous motorists. Therefore, within the amounts provided in this section, the Washington state patrol must provide a report to the joint transportation committee by October 1, 2025, detailing the demographic breakout of traffic stops for each of the most recent three calendar years for which data is available. The report must include counts and per capita rates for each demographic group on: (a) Traffic stops; (b) verbal warnings; (c) written warnings; (d) citation issuance; (e) arrests; and (f) searches. The joint transportation committee must hold a work session on the traffic stop report by December 15, 2025. If deemed warranted, the joint transportation committee shall make recommendations to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature on future funding adjustments or other actions necessary to address any demographic disparities identified in the report.
$800,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for increased chain enforcement on Interstate 90 in the area around Snoqualmie Pass. The legislature intends that the Washington state patrol, pursuant to RCW 46.37.005, require commercial vehicles to carry chains statewide during winter months and, in coordination with the department of transportation, develop a process for monitoring compliance at weigh stations.
$58,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5705), Laws of 2025 (traffic infraction penalties). If chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5705), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,100,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation and $1,100,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department to provide an interagency transfer to the department of children, youth, and families for the purpose of providing driver's license support. In addition to support services required under RCW 74.13.338(2), support services may include reimbursement of:
The cost for a youth in foster care of any eligible age to complete a driver training education course, as outlined in chapter 46.82 or 28A.220 RCW;
The costs incurred by foster youth in foster care for a motor vehicle insurance policy;
The costs of roadside assistance, motor vehicle insurance deductibles, motor vehicle registration fees, towing services, vehicle maintenance, comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, and gas cards; and
Any other costs related to obtaining a driver's license and driving legally and safely.
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$2,200,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for organizations providing driver's license assistance and support services.
By December 1st of each year during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department must submit information on the contracted providers, including: The annual budget of the contracted providers in the preceding year; information regarding private and other governmental support for the activities of the providers; and a description of the number of people served, services delivered, and outcome measures.
$36,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for continued issuance of nonemergency medical transportation vehicle decals under the high occupancy vehicle lane access pilot program in accordance with sections 217(2) and 208(20), chapter 310, Laws of 2024.
The department shall report on a quarterly basis on licensing service office operations, associated workload, and information with comparative information from recent comparable months in prior years. The report must include detailed statewide and by licensing service office information on staffing levels, average monthly wait times, the number of enhanced drivers' licenses and enhanced identicards issued and renewed, and the number of primary drivers' licenses and identicards issued and renewed.
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$3,091,000 of the abandoned recreational vehicle disposal account—state appropriation is provided solely for providing reimbursements in accordance with the department's abandoned recreational vehicle disposal reimbursement program. It is the intent of the legislature that the department prioritize this funding for allowable and approved reimbursements and not to build a reserve of funds within the account. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department must report any amounts recovered to the office of financial management and appropriate committees of the legislature on a quarterly basis.
Within the amounts appropriated under this subsection, the department, after consulting with abandoned recreational vehicle disposal reimbursement program participants, must assess current practices and reimbursement rates associated with the fiscal sustainability of the program. By December 1, 2025, the department must submit a financial plan demonstrating sustainability for a minimum of two subsequent fiscal biennia at current or proposed fee rates.
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Within existing resources, the department, in collaboration with the Washington traffic safety commission, must evaluate and develop a proposal, including any statutory recommendations, to require or implement a safe driving course as a penalty offset option for drivers who are repeat offenders of the following traffic violations:
Following too closely;
Speeding more than reasonable and prudent given conditions and existing hazards;
Speeding more than 10 miles per hour on any public roadway;
Negligent driving in the second degree;
Failure to wear a safety belt; and
$173,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5127), Laws of 2025 (improving collector vehicle regulations). If chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5127), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$19,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5234), Laws of 2025 (snowmobile fees). If chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5234), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$93,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5410), Laws of 2025 (veteran parking privileges) or chapter . . . (Substitute House Bill No. 1371), Laws of 2025 (veteran parking privileges). If neither chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5410), Laws of 2025 or chapter . . . (Substitute House Bill No. 1371), Laws of 2025 are enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$406,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5444), Laws of 2025 (special license plates). If chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5444), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$36,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5462), Laws of 2025 (vehicle inspection backlog). If chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5462), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$470,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5484), Laws of 2025 (indigent tow truck payments). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5484), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$64,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5689), Laws of 2025 (blood type information). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5689), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$150,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to send periodic notifications to vehicle owners with significantly expired vehicle registrations to increase compliance with annual vehicle registration requirements. Notifications must contain information about vehicle registration requirements and possible penalties associated with operating a vehicle with an expired registration.
$50,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to translate the driver licensing examination manual and knowledge test into Dari, Farsi, and Somali.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TOLL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE—PROGRAM B
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,300,000 of the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account—state appropriation and $12,820,000 of the state route number 520 corridor account—state appropriation are provided solely for the purposes of addressing unforeseen operations and maintenance costs on the Tacoma Narrows bridge and the state route number 520 bridge, respectively. The office of financial management shall place the amounts provided in this subsection, which represent a portion of the required minimum fund balance under the policy of the state treasurer, in unallotted status. The office may release the funds only when it determines that all other funds designated for operations and maintenance purposes have been exhausted.
As long as the facility is tolled, the department must provide annual reports to the transportation committees of the legislature on the Interstate 405 express toll lane project performance measures listed in RCW 47.56.880(4). These reports must include:
Information on the travel times and travel time reliability (at a minimum, average and 90th percentile travel times) maintained during peak and nonpeak periods in the express toll lanes and general purpose lanes for both the entire corridor and commonly made trips in the corridor including, but not limited to, northbound from Bellevue to Rose Hill, state route number 520 at NE 148th to Interstate 405 at state route number 522, Bellevue to Bothell (both NE 8th to state route number 522 and NE 8th to state route number 527), and a trip internal to the corridor (such as NE 85th to NE 160th) and similar southbound trips; and
Underlying congestion measurements, that is, speeds, that are being used to generate the summary graphs provided, to be made available in a digital file format.
The department shall make detailed annual reports to the transportation committees of the legislature and the public on the department's website in a manner consistent with past practices as specified in section 209(5), chapter 186, Laws of 2022.
As part of the department's 2027-2029 biennial budget request, the department shall update the cost allocation recommendations that assign appropriate costs to each of the toll funds for services provided by relevant Washington state department of transportation programs, the Washington state patrol, and the transportation commission. The recommendations shall be based on updated traffic and toll transaction patterns and other relevant factors.
$150,000 of the state route number 520 corridor account—state appropriation, $150,000 of the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account—state appropriation, $150,000 of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account—state appropriation, and $150,000 of the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 express toll lanes account—state appropriation are provided solely for the development of a strategic, long-range tolling feasibility assessment that indicates the operational viability and revenue potential for possible future tolled facilities in the state. At a minimum, the department, working in partnership with the transportation commission, shall: Identify candidate projects for modeling analysis utilizing a screening tool that seeks to maximize systemwide performance; determine tolling feasibility and potential gross and net toll revenue for each identified project; consider various approaches to tolling operations and their associated costs; and identify the potential impacts of tolling to surrounding roadways. The strategic tolling feasibility assessment must be submitted to the transportation committees of the legislature by October 1, 2026.
As part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, the department must submit recommendations to further reduce mailing and other customer correspondence costs over the long-term, including implementation cost estimates.
The legislature intends that the department explore all options to reduce the long-term costs of the toll system, enable more flexible operations, and increase compliance in high occupancy vehicle and express toll lanes through advanced roadside technologies as part of its anticipated procurement of a new roadside toll system. The department must report to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management with an update on preparations for the procurement and any recommendations for legislative action by December 1, 2025.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—PROGRAM C
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITY MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM D—OPERATING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,000,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for tenant improvements and other costs associated with administrative space efficiency actions taken throughout the agency. The department must continue to aggressively pursue office and administrative space efficiency as detailed in recent reports identifying opportunities for savings and cost avoidance, including:
Reducing costs, such as leases, facility maintenance, and utilities, from agency consolidations;
Implementing colocations with other state, local, and other public agencies to reduce costs and improve cost-efficiency while meeting utilization standards; and
Evaluating specific additional opportunities for space efficiency, consolidations, and colocation opportunities associated with the Bellingham engineering field office, the Corson Avenue regional headquarters campus, the Dayton Avenue northwest regional headquarters, and the transportation building in Olympia.
By January 1st of each year during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department must provide a progress report on implementing the actions under subsection (1) of this section in the most recent calendar year and any planned actions in the subsequent two-year period in these efforts.
$100,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 (weapons restrictions). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT FUND—PROGRAM E
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department's costs related to replacing obsolete transportation equipment and replacing fuel sites. Beginning December 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the department must provide a report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature detailing the current progress on replacing obsolete equipment, progress towards reaching a level purchasing state, and the status of a fuel site replacement prioritization plan. The report must also include:
A list of department-owned and managed fuel sites prioritized by urgency of replacement;
A status report on the installation and use of fuel site infrastructure that can support zero emission vehicles; and
A description of action steps taken in the use of nonappropriated transportation equipment fund resources to maximize the replacement of obsolete equipment and reduce the growing fund balance, including specific modifications to equipment purchasing behavior to increase deployment in the field.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—AVIATION—PROGRAM F
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,100,000 of the aeronautics account—state appropriation is provided solely for sustainable aviation grants recommended by the department under the sustainable aviation grants program. The department shall submit a report to the transportation committees of the legislature by October 1, 2026, identifying a selection of sustainable aviation projects for funding by the legislature. In considering projects to recommend to fund, the department shall only consider projects that advance the state of sustainable aviation technology and lead to future innovation. Innovative sustainable aviation projects may include, but are not limited to, pilot projects demonstrating the use of:
Mobile battery charging technology;
Hydrogen electrolyzers and storage;
Electric ground equipment; and
Hanger charging technology.
$500,000 of the aeronautics account—state appropriation is provided solely for Snohomish county to conduct a study to plan for and identify on-site or off-site improvements necessary to implement capacity expansion at Paine Field to meet future regional commercial passenger demand.
$350,000 of the aeronautics account—state appropriation is provided solely for phase II of the Bremerton commercial air service and cargo feasibility study.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM DELIVERY MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM H
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, if the department takes possession of the property situated in the city of Edmonds for which a purchase agreement was executed between Unocal and the department in 2005 (Tax Parcel Number 262703-2-003-0009), and if the department confirms that the property is still no longer needed for transportation purposes, the department shall provide the city of Edmonds with the first right of purchase at fair market value in accordance with RCW 47.12.063(3) for the city's intended use of the property to rehabilitate near-shore habitat for salmon and related species.
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$572,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely to track and maximize clean fuels credits and revenue generated by state agencies pursuant to chapter 70A.535 RCW.
The LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, anticipates fulfillment of the requirements under chapter 70A.535 RCW of generating credits and revenue for transportation investments funded in an omnibus transportation appropriations act, including the move ahead WA transportation package. The omnibus transportation appropriations act anticipates credits for ferry electrification for new hybrid electric vessels, active transportation, transit programs and projects, alternative fuel infrastructure, connecting communities, and multimodal investments.
Pursuant to the reporting requirements of RCW 70A.535.050(5), the department must present a detailed projection of the credit revenues generated and achieved directly as a result of the funding and activities in this subsection.
$350,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the department to explore alternative uses of the state's highway rights-of-way consistent with section 214(7), chapter 310, Laws of 2024.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS—PROGRAM K
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$15,000,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the clean alternative fuel vehicle charging and refueling infrastructure program in RCW 47.04.350.
$82,151,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for implementation of zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicle and equipment infrastructure and incentive programs and for the replacement of school buses powered by fossil fuels with zero-emission school buses, including the purchase and installation of zero-emission school bus refueling infrastructure.
Of this amount, $16,300,000 is for the department to administer an early action grant program to provide expedited funding for the replacement of school buses powered by fossil fuels with zero-emission school buses, including the purchase and installation of zero-emission school bus refueling infrastructure. The department must contract with the department of ecology to implement the early action grant program.
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The remaining $65,851,000, inclusive of costs for program administration and staffing, is for a point-of-sale voucher incentive program to encourage the faster adoption of zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles to further state climate goals under RCW 70A.45.020 and state equity goals under chapter 70A.02 RCW. The voucher incentive program must be administered by a third-party administrator that has experience administering voucher incentive programs, with oversight conducted by the department.
The voucher program is required to be designed based on the recommendations of the Joint Transportation Committee report Washington State Infrastructure and Incentive Program Design for MHD ZEVs, and to include:
(A) Simplified zero-emission vehicle eligibility requirements;
(B) Vehicle and infrastructure incentives aligned with programs in other jurisdictions, where appropriate, to streamline user planning;
(C) Financial enhancements for select populations based on equity considerations, including for vehicles in disadvantaged communities and vehicles to be purchased by small, minority-owned businesses, with consideration for support of the secondary vehicle market;
(D) A centralized user and manufacturer portal for information, application, and assistance;
(E) A fleet assistance and qualification program to assist in zero-emission vehicle and infrastructure planning, to be administered by the Washington State University extension energy program in coordination with the department and the voucher program's third-party administrator; and
(F) A voucher preapproval process to evaluate participant eligibility, readiness for fleet deployment, and infrastructure preparedness.
iii. The following battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle categories and associated charging, as well as refueling infrastructure for these categories, are eligible for the voucher program, subject to additional qualification criteria to be determined by the department and the voucher program third-party administrator:
(A) On-road vehicles from class 2b, heavy work pickups and vans, through class 8, heavy tractor-trailer units and refuse trucks; and
(B) Cargo handling and off-road equipment.
iv. School buses and transit vehicles eligible for state grant programs for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles are not eligible for vouchers under this program, but are eligible for fleet assistance provided in association with the voucher program, which must include assistance in determining state and federal grant eligibility for these vehicles.
v. The voucher amounts selected by the department and voucher program third-party administrator must further the policy goals of the program cited in (b)(i) of this subsection by offsetting investments required for medium and heavy-duty vehicle and equipment owners to transition to zero-emission vehicles and equipment. The department and voucher program third-party administrator must condition vehicle and infrastructure voucher funding to ensure these program policy goals are furthered through the voucher funding provided.
vi. Consistent with voucher program design, the department is required to distribute funds to the voucher program third-party administrator sufficiently in advance of final requirements for voucher distribution being met to facilitate the voucher's timely distribution by the third-party administrator to sellers of zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure.
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fuel cell transportation infrastructure projects with a focus on locations in disadvantaged and overburdened communities, where possible. The department, in consultation with the interagency electric vehicle coordinating council, should pursue any federal funding available through the charging and fueling infrastructure discretionary grant program and any other sources under the federal infrastructure investment and jobs act (P.L. 29 117-58).
b. $2,500,000 of the amount provided in (a) of this subsection is provided solely to Community Transit for a hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project.
c. $200,000 of the amount provided in (a) of this subsection is provided solely for hydrogen fuel cell demonstration projects that provide long term power equipment and fuel for traffic signals at critical intersections during emergencies involving power disruptions or shutoffs.
$851,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for a Tacoma Public Utilities medium-duty zero-emission utility service vehicle pilot project that includes charging infrastructure and mobile battery units.
$740,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5773) (alternative procurement and delivery models for transportation projects). If chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5773) is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE—PROGRAM M
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$5,000,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for a contingency pool for snow and ice removal. The department must notify the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature when they have spent the base budget for snow and ice removal and will begin using the contingency pool funding.
$8,040,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to address the risks to safety and public health associated with homeless encampments on department owned rights-of-way. The department must coordinate and work with the Washington state patrol, local law enforcement, local government officials, and social service organizations that provide services and direct people to housing alternatives that are not in highway rights-of-way to help prevent future encampments from forming on highway rights-of-way. The Washington state patrol and the department must continue to report semiannually to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of these efforts in a manner consistent with section 216(3), chapter 310, Laws of 2024.
$235,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 (weapons restrictions). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$3,675,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for initial and ongoing implementation costs of the department's Snoqualmie winter operations study recommendations, which include installation of large regulatory signs, installation of a remote avalanche control system, developing chain enforcement processes in coordination with the Washington state patrol, improving cost recovery from violators, and securing an on-call class C towing company.
$2,000,000 of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account—state appropriation is provided solely for maintenance activities in the vicinity of the state route number 99 deep bore tunnel. Appropriations in this subsection assume additional revenue from a temporary toll rate adjustment on the state route number 99 tunnel leading up to and during the 2026 World Cup.
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$1,200,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to contract with the city of Fife to address the risks to safety and public health associated with homeless encampments on department-owned rights-of-way along the SR 167/SR 509 Puget Sound Gateway project corridor in and adjacent to the city limits.
The city must coordinate and work with the department and local governments and social service organizations who provide services and direct people to housing alternatives that are not in highway rights-of-way to help prevent future encampments from forming on highway rights-of-way. State funds may be used to reimburse the organizations doing this outreach assistance who transition people into treatment or housing that is not on the rights-of-way or for debris clean up on highway rights-of-way.
The department may hire crews specializing in collecting and disposing of garbage, clearing debris or hazardous material, and implementing safety improvements where hazards exist to the traveling public and department employees.
Funds may also be used to reimburse local law enforcement costs or the Washington state patrol if they are participating as part of a state or local government agreement to provide enhanced safety related activities along state highway rights-of-way.
It is the intent of the legislature that the city and collaborating partners should place particular emphasis on utilizing available funds for addressing large scale and multiple homeless encampments that impact public safety and health. Funding for initiatives associated with such encampments may include targeted assistance to local governments and social service organizations, directing moneys toward not only initial efforts to clear encampments, clean up debris and restore sightlines, but to ongoing work, monitoring, and maintenance of efforts to place individuals in housing, treatment, and services, and to better ensure individuals experiencing homelessness receive needed assistance while sites remain safe and secure for the traveling public.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS—PROGRAM Q—OPERATING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department shall continue a pilot program that expands private transportation providers' access to high occupancy vehicle lanes. Under the pilot program, when the department reserves a portion of a highway based on the number of passengers in a vehicle, the following vehicles must be authorized to use the reserved portion of the highway if the vehicle has the capacity to carry eight or more passengers, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle: (i) Auto transportation company vehicles regulated under chapter 81.68 RCW; (ii) passenger charter carrier vehicles regulated under chapter 81.70 RCW, except marked or unmarked stretch limousines and stretch sport utility vehicles as defined under department of licensing rules; (iii) private nonprofit transportation provider vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW; and (iv) private employer transportation service vehicles. For purposes of this subsection, "private employer transportation service" means regularly scheduled, fixed-route transportation service that is offered by an employer for the benefit of its employees. Nothing in this subsection is intended to authorize the conversion of public infrastructure to private, for-profit purposes or to otherwise create an entitlement or other claim by private users to public infrastructure.
The department shall expand the high occupancy vehicle lane access pilot program to vehicles that deliver or collect blood, tissue, or blood components for a blood-collecting or distributing establishment regulated under chapter 70.335 RCW. Under the pilot program, when the department reserves a portion of a highway based on the number of passengers in a vehicle, blood-collecting or distributing establishment vehicles that are clearly and identifiably marked as such on all sides of the vehicle are considered emergency vehicles and must be authorized to use the reserved portion of the highway.
The department shall expand the high occupancy vehicle lane access pilot program to for hire nonemergency medical transportation vehicles, when in use for medical purposes, as described in section 208(20), chapter 472, Laws of 2023. Under the pilot program, when the department reserves a portion of a highway based on the number of passengers in a vehicle, nonemergency medical transportation vehicles that meet the requirements identified in section 208(20), chapter 472, Laws of 2023 must be authorized to use the reserved portion of the highway.
Nothing in this subsection is intended to exempt these vehicles from paying tolls when they do not meet the occupancy requirements established by the department for express toll lanes.
The appropriations in this section assume implementation of additional cost recovery mechanisms to recoup at least $100,000 in credit card and other financial transaction costs related to the collection of fees imposed under RCW 46.17.400, 46.44.090, and 46.44.0941 for driver and vehicle fee transactions beginning January 1, 2023. The department may recover transaction fees incurred through credit card transactions.
$10,621,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter 17, Laws of 2023 (speed safety cameras).
$1,900,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the department, in coordination with the independent review team of the joint transportation committee, to conduct an analysis of highway, road, and freight rail transportation needs, options, and impacts from shifting the movement of freight and goods that currently move by barge through the lower Snake river dams to highways, other roads, and rail, consistent with section 217(9), chapter 310, Laws of 2024. The department shall provide status updates on a quarterly basis in coordination with the joint transportation committee. The department must submit a final report to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature by December 31, 2026.
$8,423,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for transportation operations activities to help keep people and goods moving during the 2026 World Cup. These activities include, but are not limited to, transportation management center operations and upgrades, additional incident response team coverage, trail crossing improvements, and updated guide signage/wayfinding.
$31,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8000), Laws of 2025 (Martin Luther King, Jr. way). If chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8000), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$9,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8003), Laws of 2025 (I-82/Charles Frank Noble, Jr.). If chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8003), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$5,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Senate Joint Memorial No. 8009), Laws of 2025 (Joe Mentor memorial overpass). If chapter . . . (Senate Joint Memorial No. 8009), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM S
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,000,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation and $5,400,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation are provided solely for efforts to increase diversity in the transportation construction workforce through:
The preapprenticeship support services (PASS) and career opportunity maritime preapprenticeship support services (COMPASS) programs, which aim to increase diversity in the highway construction and maritime workforces and prepare individuals interested in entering the highway construction and maritime workforces. In addition to the services allowed under RCW 47.01.435, the PASS and COMPASS programs may provide housing assistance for youth aging out of the foster care and juvenile rehabilitation systems to support their participation in a transportation-related preapprenticeship program and support services to obtain necessary maritime documents and coast guard certification; and
Assisting minority and women-owned businesses to perform work in the highway construction industry.
The department shall report every even-numbered year to the transportation committees of the legislature on efforts to increase diversity in the transportation construction workforce.
$1,512,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation and $488,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation are provided solely for monitoring, assistance, engagement, reporting, and other activities consistent with section 218(2), chapter 310, Laws of 2024.
$2,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for activities to help keep people and goods moving during the 2026 World Cup. These activities include, but are not limited to, digital advertising for traveler information, Title VI compliance and language access, and Americans with disabilities act compliance and training.
The department's office of equity and civil rights and the office of minority and women's business enterprises must develop two new business-size thresholds within the office's certification program. The two new thresholds must include emerging small businesses and rising small businesses with gross receipts of no more than (a) $3,000,000 and (b) $10,000,000. This work must include evaluation of all state-funded contracts over $50,000,000 for emerging small business goals, rising small business goals, small business goals, or any combination thereof. The office of equity and civil rights and the office of minority and women's business enterprises must submit a report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature by November 1, 2025, on this work and any recommendations on next steps.
Within amounts provided in this section, a maximum of $75,000 is for the department's office of equity and civil rights to contract with Western Washington University to analyze the economic benefit of utilizing small businesses on department projects to the Washington state economy.
For department small works roster projects under RCW 39.04.151, the department may only allow firms certified as public works small business enterprises, under RCW 39.19.030, to bid on the project contract, unless the department determines there would be insufficient bidders for a particular project.
$30,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5374), Laws of 2025 (transportation/tribal rep.). If chapter . . . (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5374), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, DATA, AND RESEARCH—PROGRAM T
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$1,557,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation is provided solely for the department to upgrade the department's linear referencing system (LRS) and highway performance monitoring system (HPMS).
The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for Interstate 5 planning. The work under this subsection must include, but is not limited to, the following:
Continued development of an Interstate 5 master plan;
Advancing seismic vulnerability analyses;
Identification of early action priority projects that address safety or resiliency, or both, along the corridor; and
An interim report on the progress of the Interstate 5 master plan to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management by June 30, 2026.
$140,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the city of Seattle's office of planning and community development to continue to support an equitable development initiative to reconnect the South Park neighborhood, currently divided by state route number 99, consistent with section 219(4), chapter 310, Laws of 2024. The city must provide a final report that includes recommendations by June 30, 2027.
Consistent with RCW 47.04.280(1)(d), when the department submits the attainment report required under RCW 47.04.285, it shall visually display statewide annual hours of travel delay by displaying data within each major corridor, to the extent practicable.
The department shall adopt rules by December 1, 2025, specifying a time frame for its periodic review and update of an integrated, federally compliant, long-range statewide multimodal transportation plan. The department must, as part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, submit a proposal for the next update of the plan, including robust engagement with local governments, transportation organizations, and the public.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—CHARGES FROM OTHER AGENCIES—PROGRAM U
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Consistent with existing protocol and practices, for any negotiations that could result in a settlement of a claim against the state for the department that exceeds $5,000,000, the department, in conjunction with the attorney general and the department of enterprise services, shall notify the director of the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature.
On August 1, 2025, and semiannually thereafter, the department, in conjunction with the attorney general and the department of enterprise services, shall provide a report with judgments and settlements dealing with the Washington state ferry system to the director of the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature. The report must include information on: (a) The number of claims and settlements by type; (b) the average claim and settlement by type; (c) defense costs associated with those claims and settlements; and (d) information on the impacts of moving legal costs associated with the Washington state ferry system into the statewide self-insurance pool.
On August 1, 2025, and semiannually thereafter, the department, in conjunction with the attorney general and the department of enterprise services, shall provide a report with judgments and settlements dealing with the nonferry operations of the department to the director of the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature. The report must include information on: (a) The number of claims and settlements by type; (b) the average claim and settlement by type; and (c) defense costs associated with those claims and settlements.
When the department identifies significant legal issues that have potential transportation budget implications, the department must initiate a briefing for appropriate legislative members or staff through the office of the attorney general and its legislative briefing protocol.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM V
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$62,698,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation and $78,525,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation are provided solely for a grant program for special needs transportation distributed in accordance with RCW 47.66.150.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $425,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the reappropriation of amounts provided for this purpose in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. Fuel type may not be a factor in the grant selection process.
The department shall not require more than a 10 percent match from nonprofit transportation providers for state grants.
$1,124,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to provide a statewide vanpool benefit for all state employees. For department employees working in remote job sites, such as mountain passes, the department must ensure employees are able to access job sites via a subsidized vanpool or provide a modal alternative for the "last mile" to ensure employees can access the job site without additional charge.
$500,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for an interagency transfer to the Washington State University extension energy program to administer a technical assistance and education program for public agencies on the use of alternative fuel vehicles. The Washington State University extension energy program shall prepare a report regarding the utilization of the program and submit this report to the transportation committees of the legislature by November 15, 2025.
$3,400,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the pilot program established under RCW 47.04.355 to provide clean alternative fuel vehicle use opportunities to underserved communities and low to moderate-income members of the workforce not readily served by transit or located in transportation corridors with emissions that exceed federal or state emissions standards.
$900,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to implement certain recommendations from the 2023 frequent transit service study. The department shall define levels and types of demand-response service and measure access to these services within Washington for the purpose of gaining a fuller picture of transit access. The department must collect ongoing transportation data and develop systems to allow for analysis of disparities in access to existing fixed route transit. The data collection should prioritize collecting information on accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, vulnerable populations in overburdened communities, and other underserved communities. The department shall submit a report on data collection efforts to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management by June 30, 2026.
Public transit agencies must have maintained or increased their local sales tax authority as of January 1, 2022, and may not have delayed, diverted, supplanted, or suspended the collection of approved sales taxes specifically for the purpose of public transportation that were approved on or before January 1, 2022, to qualify for any public transportation division grants.
$8,000,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for transit support for the 2026 World Cup including, but not limited to, increased frequency, shuttle services, increased water taxi service, transit incentives, communications, wayfinding, cleanliness, and security. Of the amount provided in this subsection, 40 percent is for King county metro, 40 percent is for public transportation benefit areas and regional transit authorities in Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties, and 20 percent is for public transit agencies operating in cities the World Cup organizing committee has named to host fan zones. All distributions must be proportional based on service hours.
$10,000,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for King county metro as part of a federal funds exchange pilot. Amounts provided in this subsection must be held in unallotted status until notification has been received by the department's public transportation division from Washington state ferries that the conditions outlined in section 222(13) of this act have been met. By January 15, 2026, King county metro must report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature a summary of projects funded or planned to be funded, and recommendations for continuation of the federal funds exchange pilot through the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, including additional amounts eligible to be exchanged.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—MARINE—PROGRAM X
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The office of financial management budget instructions require agencies to recast enacted budgets into activities. The Washington state ferries shall include a greater level of detail in its 2025-2027 supplemental and 2027-2029 omnibus transportation appropriations act requests, as determined jointly by the office of financial management, the Washington state ferries, and the transportation committees of the legislature. This level of detail must include the administrative functions in the operating as well as capital programs. The data in the tables in the report must be supplied in a digital file format.
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$75,047,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—federal appropriation and $24,425,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation are provided solely for auto ferry vessel operating fuel in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The amount provided in this subsection represents the fuel budget for the purposes of calculating any ferry fare fuel surcharge.
The Washington state ferries must develop a renewable diesel demonstration project for a representative group of diesel vessels. By September 15, 2026, Washington state ferries must submit findings and recommendations to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of legislature that includes, but is not limited to, performance results of the demonstration project, recommendations for renewable diesel usage across the fleet, and possible procurement options for renewable diesel.
During negotiations of the 2027-2029 collective bargaining agreements, the department must: (a) Identify provisions that create barriers for, or contribute to creating a disparate impact on, newly hired ferry employees, including those who are women, people of color, veterans, and other employees belonging to communities that have historically been underrepresented in the workforce; and (b) create a forum for direct discussion between the governor, labor leadership, the office of financial management, and the Washington state ferries to collaboratively identify and resolve compensation and staffing issues, with the goal of service improvements for ferry riders.
$50,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to conduct an actuarial evaluation to determine the amount of funds needed in reserve to provide an acceptable amount of self-insurance coverage as compared to the commercial insurance option for the ferry system. The evaluation must also include an analysis of the short and long-term costs and benefits of self-insurance. By December 15, 2026, the department shall report evaluation results to the transportation committees of the legislature.
Within existing resources, the department must deploy a pilot program for offering customers wifi on vessels and in terminals. By January 1, 2026, the department must report on the viability of the program to the transportation committees of the legislature, including implementation recommendations and cost estimates. The department must prioritize routes or terminals with wifi coverage issues and consider fee-for-service options.
$500,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for operating costs related to moving vessels for emergency capital repairs. Funds may only be spent after approval by the office of financial management.
$35,984,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation and $15,012,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—federal appropriation are provided solely for workforce development initiatives, employee retention, and ongoing labor costs at the Washington state ferries. The Washington state ferries must report workforce data consistent with RCW 47.60.850.
$2,548,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for security services at Colman Dock.
$1,596,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation and $484,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—federal appropriation are provided solely for traffic control at ferry terminals at Seattle, Fauntleroy, Kingston, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Bainbridge Island, during peak ferry travel times, with a particular focus on Sundays and holiday weekends. If local law enforcement entities are available, the Washington state ferries may contract with local agencies for traffic control services.
By December 31st of each year, as part of the annual ferries division performance report, the department must report on the status of efforts to increase the staff available for maintaining the customary level of ferry service, including staff for deck, engine, and terminals. The report must include data for a 12-month period up to the most recent data available, by staff group, showing the number of employees at the beginning of the 12-month period, the number of new employees hired, the number of employees separating from service, and the number of employees at the end of the 12-month period. The department report on additional performance measures must include:
Numbers of trip cancellations due to crew availability or vessel mechanical issues;
Current level of service compared to the full-service schedules in effect in 2019; and
Retention rates of employees who have completed on the job workforce development programs and overall employee retention rates.
$75,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to contract with the Evans School of Public Policy at the University of Washington to conduct a study and develop recommendations to design a modernized and more inclusive Washington state ferries' customer advisory process. The study must prioritize ease of customer feedback, inclusion of groups that have been historically underrepresented in customer feedback and engagement processes, and capturing input from passengers using the system for varying purposes. The study must also look at customer engagement models developed by other comparable ferry systems, both domestic and international, for best practices. A report with findings and recommendations is due to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature by December 15, 2026. To allow the public to engage with the Washington state ferries' management, the ferries division must hold at least three virtual public meetings annually to update customers on service issues and answer customer questions. The appropriation in this section is contingent on enactment of section 720 of this act.
$36,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 (weapons restrictions). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
$12,000,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—federal appropriation is provided solely for a federal fund exchange pilot with King county metro. Washington state ferries must work with the Puget Sound regional council to amend the statewide transportation improvement plan with eligible projects. Upon approval of the amended plan and confirmation of distribution of federal funds from the Puget Sound regional council, Washington state ferries must notify the department's public transportation division for release of state funds to King county metro in section 221(9) of this act. By January 15, 2026, Washington state ferries must report to the office of financial management and transportation committees of the legislature recommendations for expanding the exchange in current and future biennia.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—RAIL—PROGRAM Y—OPERATING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $1,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 (weapons restrictions). If chapter . . . (Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5098), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z—OPERATING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$500,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for administration, program management, and evaluation of the federal fund exchange pilot program.
$750,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely to continue the civilian intervention grant program in accordance with program requirements under section 224(7), chapter 472, Laws of 2023.
For its 2027-2029 biennial agency budget request, the department shall create a distinct subprogram within local programs for all expenditures and activities for the active transportation division.
$930,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department, from amounts set aside out of statewide fuel taxes distributed to counties according to RCW 46.68.120(3), to contract with the Washington state association of counties to:
Continue contracting with the Washington state department of fish and wildlife to identify, inventory, and prioritize county-owned fish passage barriers;
Partner with the county road administration board to update the road cost factor unit costs used in the calculation of the allocation factor for the county's portion of the motor vehicle fuel tax;
Create specific guidance and training for county public works departments developing community engagement plans to mitigate project and program harms and maximize community benefits by expanding upon the freight mobility strategic investment board's "Toolkit and Best Practices for Integrating Community Considerations in Infrastructure Investments;" and
Continue partnering with the board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors and contract with the Washington state transportation center at the University of Washington to identify best practices within public works for the recruitment and retention of employees, including recommendations for improving outreach and recruitment to underrepresented populations, methods to partner with local community colleges and universities, ways to expand apprenticeship and internship programs, strategies to increase training and development opportunities, and recommendations for career advancement programs and better work life balance outcomes.
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$250,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for the city of Seattle department of transportation to continue the digital conflict program work under section 921(8), chapter 310, Laws of 2024.
The city of Seattle must provide a report on any findings and recommendations of the program and any implementation needs and process mapping for use by other jurisdictions to the Washington state department of transportation and the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2026.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—CLEAN FUELS CREDIT PROGRAM
The department of transportation, with the assistance of designated staff in the department, must register for the clean fuels credit program and start tracking revenue generation pursuant to chapter 70A.535 RCW for investments funded in an omnibus transportation appropriations act. The omnibus transportation appropriations act anticipates credits for ferry electrification for new hybrid electric vessels, active transportation, transit programs and projects, alternative fuel infrastructure, connecting communities, and multimodal investments.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$3,600,000 of the state patrol highway account—state appropriation is provided solely for the following projects:
$500,000 is for emergency repairs;
$800,000 is for roof replacements;
$1,300,000 is for generator and electrical replacement, including reappropriations;
$580,000 is for pavement surface improvements, including reappropriations;
$120,000 is for vehicle identification number inspection shelters; and
$300,000 is for an exterior preservation reappropriation.
The Washington state patrol may transfer funds between projects specified in subsection (1) of this section to address cash flow requirements.
If a project specified in subsection (1) of this section is completed for less than the amount provided, the remainder may be transferred to another project specified in subsection (1) of this section not to exceed the total appropriation provided in subsection (1) of this section after notifying the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature at least 20 days before any transfer.
FOR THE COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION BOARD
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITIES—PROGRAM D—(DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION-ONLY PROJECTS)—CAPITAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$8,687,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to improve its ability to keep facility assets in a state of good repair. In using the funds appropriated in this subsection, the department, with periodic reporting to the joint transportation committee, must continue to develop and implement a prioritization of facility capital preservation needs and repair projects. The legislature intends these to be reasonable, forward-thinking investments that consider potential future space efficiency measures and consolidations, including those assessed as having high commercial value and potential returns to state transportation funds associated with the sale of the property. Prioritization must be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria: (i) Employee safety and facility security; (ii) state and federal regulatory and statutory requirements and compliance issues, including clean buildings requirements; (iii) quality of work issues; (iv) facility condition assessment evaluations and scoring; (v) asset preservation; and (vi) amount of operational support provided by the facility to the achievement of the department's performance measures and outcomes, including facility utilization based on field operations work supported at the location. "Field operations" includes maintenance, transportation operations, materials testing, and construction.
In using the funds appropriated in this subsection, the department must utilize the prioritization of facility capital preservation needs and repair projects used in developing the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium agency budget submittal.
By September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026, the department must provide a report based on the prioritization of facility preservation needs and repair projects developed pursuant to (a) of this subsection to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature. The report must include: (i) A by-facility ranking based on the criteria implemented; (ii) detailed information on the actions taken in the previous year to address the identified issues and deficiencies; and (iii) the plan, by facility, to address issues and deficiencies for the remainder of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium.
Within existing resources, in consultation with the office of financial management, the department must continue to use the criteria developed for the preservation and improvement minor works list during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
Within existing resources, in consultation with the office of financial management, the department must continue to use criteria for providing building-related capital requests in a comparable format, adjusted where appropriate, to provisions already in use in the omnibus capital appropriations act for building projects, including the C-100 capital request form and other detail requirements for omnibus capital appropriations act building submissions.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—IMPROVEMENTS—PROGRAM I
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire connecting Washington account—state appropriation, the entire move ahead WA account—federal appropriation, the entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation, and the entire transportation partnership account—state appropriation are provided solely for the projects and activities as listed by fund, project, and amount in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-1 as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Highway Improvements Program (I). However, limited transfers of specific line-item project appropriations may occur between projects for those amounts listed subject to the conditions and limitations in section 601 of this act.
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire motor vehicle account—state appropriation and motor vehicle account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the projects and activities listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Highway Improvements Program (I). Any federal funds gained through efficiencies, adjustments to the federal funds forecast, or the federal funds redistribution process must then be applied to highway and bridge preservation activities.
Within the motor vehicle account—state appropriation and motor vehicle account—federal appropriation, the department may transfer appropriation authority between programs I and P, except for appropriation authority that is otherwise restricted in this act, as follows:
Ten days prior to any transfer, the department must submit its request to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature and consider any concerns raised.
The director of the office of financial management must first provide written authorization for such transfer to the department and the transportation committees of the legislature.
The department shall submit a report on appropriation authority transferred in the prior fiscal year using this subsection as part of the department's annual budget submittal.
The connecting Washington account—state appropriation includes up to $1,064,239,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.889.
The transportation partnership account—state appropriation includes up to $3,755,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.873.
The Puget Sound gateway facility account—state appropriation includes up to $88,200,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896.
The Interstate 405 and State Route Number 167 express toll lanes account—state appropriation includes up to $375,311,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896.
The department shall itemize all future requests for the construction of buildings on a project list and submit them through the transportation executive information system as part of the department's annual budget submittal. It is the intent of the legislature that new facility construction must be transparent and not appropriated within larger highway construction projects.
The legislature continues to prioritize the replacement of the state's aging infrastructure and recognizes the importance of reusing and recycling construction aggregate and recycled concrete materials in our transportation system. To accomplish Washington state's sustainability goals in transportation and in accordance with RCW 70A.205.700, the legislature reaffirms its determination that recycled concrete aggregate and other transportation building materials are natural resource construction materials that are too valuable to be wasted and landfilled, and are a commodity as defined in WAC 173-350-100.
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$54,334,000 of the coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund—federal appropriation, $118,178,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation, $796,352,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation, $112,263,000 of the connecting Washington account—state appropriation, and $8,621,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation are provided solely for the Fish Passage Barrier Removal project (0BI4001) with the intent of fully complying with the federal U.S. v. Washington court injunction by 2030.
Appropriations within this subsection may be used to jointly leverage state and local funds for match requirements in applying for competitive federal aid grants provided in the infrastructure investment and jobs act for removals of fish passage barriers under the national culvert removal, replacement, and restoration program. State funds used for the purpose described in this subsection must not compromise full compliance with the court injunction by 2030.
The department shall coordinate with the Brian Abbott fish passage barrier removal board to use a watershed approach by replacing both state and local culverts guided by the principle of providing the greatest fish habitat gain at the earliest time. The department shall deliver high habitat value fish passage barrier corrections that it has identified, guided by the following factors: Opportunity to bundle projects, tribal priorities, ability to leverage investments by others, presence of other barriers, project readiness, culvert conditions, other transportation projects in the area, and transportation impacts. The department and Brian Abbott fish barrier removal board must provide updates on the implementation of the statewide culvert remediation plan to the legislature by November 1, 2025, and June 1, 2026.
The department must keep track of, for each barrier removed: (i) The location; (ii) the amount of fish habitat gain; and (iii) the amount spent to comply with the injunction.
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department shall semi-annually provide reports of the amounts of federal funding received for this project to the governor and transportation committees of the legislature.
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$344,931,000 of the move ahead WA account—federal appropriation, $127,504,000 of the move ahead WA account—private/local appropriation, and $107,753,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation are provided solely for the I-5 Columbia river bridge project (L4000054). The legislature finds that the replacement of the I-5 Columbia river bridge is a project of national significance and is critical for the movement of freight. One span is now more than a century old, at risk for collapse in the event of a major earthquake, and no longer satisfies the needs of commerce and travel. Replacing the aging interstate bridge with a modern, seismically resilient, multimodal structure that provides improved mobility for people, goods, and services is a high priority. Therefore, the legislature intends to support the replacement of the I-5 Columbia river bridge with an investment of $1,000,000,000 over the 16-year move ahead WA investment program.
The department shall provide regular updates on the status of ongoing coordination with the state of Oregon on any bistate agreements regarding sharing of revenues, use of revenues, and fiscal responsibilities of each state. Prior to finalizing any such agreement, the department shall provide a draft of the agreement to the transportation committees of the legislature for review and input. Additionally, the department shall continue to advise quarterly on the status of any bistate agreements to the joint transportation committee until any agreements are finalized.
$136,984,000 of the connecting Washington account—state appropriation, $1,527,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation, $28,103,000 of the motor vehicle account—private/local appropriation, $262,013,000 of the move ahead WA account—federal appropriation, $173,193,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation, $200,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation, $88,200,000 of the Puget Sound gateway facility account—state appropriation, and $212,157,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the SR 167/SR 509 Puget Sound Gateway project (M00600R).
Any savings on the project must stay on the Puget Sound Gateway corridor until the project is complete.
In making budget allocations to the Puget Sound Gateway project, the department shall implement the project's construction as a single corridor investment. The department shall continue to collaborate with the affected stakeholders as it implements the corridor construction and implementation plan for state route number 167 and state route number 509. Specific funding allocations must be based on where and when specific project segments are ready for construction to move forward and investments can be best optimized for timely project completion. Emphasis must be placed on avoiding gaps in fund expenditures for either project.
The entire multimodal transportation account—state appropriation in this subsection is for:
The design phase of the Puyallup to Tacoma multiuse trail along the state route number 167 right-of-way acquired for the project to connect a network of new and existing trails from Mount Rainier to Point Defiance Park; and
Segment 2 of the state route number 167 completion project shared-use path to provide connections to the interchange of state route number 167 at 54th to the intersection of state route number 509 and Taylor Way in Tacoma.
$15,988,000 of the connecting Washington account—state appropriation is provided solely for the SR 224/Red Mountain Vicinity Improvement project (L1000291). The department shall provide funding to the city of West Richland to complete the project within the project scope identified by the legislature and within the total amount provided by the legislature. The department shall not amend the project's scope of work to add pavement preservation on state route number 224 from the West Richland city limits to Antinori Road.
$578,139,000 of the connecting Washington account—state appropriation, $1,100,000 of the state route number 520 corridor account—state appropriation, and $7,278,000 of the motor vehicle account—private/local appropriation are provided solely for the SR 520 Seattle Corridor Improvements - West End project (M00400R) and are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Upon completion of the Montlake Phase of the West End project, the department shall sell or transfer that portion of the property not necessary for transportation purposes, and shall initiate a process to convey or transfer such portion of the surplus property to a subsequent owner.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,100,000 of the state route number 520 corridor account—state appropriation is provided solely for noise mitigation activities.
$24,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation and $304,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the SR 900 Safety Improvements project (L2021118). The department must: (a) Work in collaboration with King county and the Skyway coalition to align community assets, transportation infrastructure needs, and initial design for safety improvements along state route number 900; and (b) work with the Skyway coalition to lead community planning engagement and active transportation activities.
$17,500,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation is provided solely for a federal fund exchange pilot program. The pilot program must allow exchanges of federal surface transportation block grant population funding and state funds at an exchange rate of 95 cents in state funds per $1.00 in federal funds. The projects receiving the exchanged federal funds must adhere to all federal requirements, including the applicable disadvantaged business enterprise goals. The entirety of the appropriation in this subsection must be held in unallotted status until surface transportation block grant population funding has been offered to the state, and the department determines that a federalized project or projects funded in this section is eligible to spend the surface transportation block grant population funding. $7,125,000 from existing state appropriations identified elsewhere within this section are available to be used as part of the exchange. Upon determination that a project or projects funded in this section is eligible to spend the offered surface transportation block grant population funding, state funds appropriated in this section for the eligible state project or projects in an amount equal to 100 percent of the offered surface transportation block grant population funding must be placed in unallotted status. The legislature intends to evaluate utilization and efficacy of this program, and if underutilized, the program is intended to not continue into future biennia.
$5,030,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation and $1,842,000 of the multimodal transportation account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the department to develop and implement a technology-based truck parking availability system along the Interstate 5 corridor in partnership with Oregon state and California state to maximize utilization of existing truck parking capacity and deliver real-time parking availability information to truck drivers (L1000375). The department may use a portion of the appropriation in this subsection for grant proposal development and as state match funding for technology-based truck parking availability system federal grant applications. The department must update the transportation committees of the legislature on agency activities and their status by December 1, 2026.
The appropriations provided in this section may not be used for Project Design Continuation (PDCOSTS). The legislature intends that the LEAP transportation documents referenced in subsections (1) and (2) of this section be updated accordingly.
The legislature intends to evaluate the state's approach to estimating capital project costs and risks, and to explore pooling risk. The department must present to the joint transportation committee on its cost estimating policies and considerations for creating a project risk pool before the 2026 legislative session.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PRESERVATION—PROGRAM P
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire motor vehicle account—state appropriation and motor vehicle account—federal appropriation are provided solely for the projects and activities listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Highway Preservation Program (P). Any federal funds gained through efficiencies, adjustments to the federal funds forecast, or the federal funds redistribution process must then be applied to highway and bridge preservation activities.
Within the motor vehicle account—state appropriation and motor vehicle account—federal appropriation, the department may transfer appropriation authority between programs I and P, except for appropriation authority that is otherwise restricted in this act, as follows:
Ten days prior to any transfer, the department must submit its request to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature and consider any concerns raised.
The director of the office of financial management must first provide written authorization for such transfer to the department and the transportation committees of the legislature.
The department shall submit a report on appropriation authority transferred in the prior fiscal year using this subsection as part of the department's annual budget submittal.
$6,000,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for extraordinary costs incurred from litigation awards, settlements, or dispute mitigation activities not eligible for funding from the self-insurance fund (L2000290). The amount provided in this subsection must be held in unallotted status until the department submits a request to the office of financial management that includes documentation detailing litigation-related expenses. The office of financial management may release the funds only when it determines that all other funds designated for litigation awards, settlements, and dispute mitigation activities have been exhausted.
Within the connecting Washington account—state appropriation, the department may transfer funds from Highway System Preservation (L1100071) to other preservation projects listed in the LEAP transportation document identified in subsection (1) of this section, if it is determined necessary for completion of these high priority preservation projects. The department's next budget submittal after using this subsection must appropriately reflect the transfer.
The legislature continues to prioritize the replacement of the state's aging infrastructure and recognizes the importance of reusing and recycling construction aggregate and recycled concrete materials in our transportation system. To accomplish Washington state's sustainability goals in transportation and in accordance with RCW 70A.205.700, the legislature reaffirms its determination that recycled concrete aggregate and other transportation building materials are natural resource construction materials that are too valuable to be wasted and landfilled, and are a commodity as defined in WAC 173-350-100.
The appropriations in this section include funding for starting planning, engineering, and construction of the Elwha River bridge replacement. To the greatest extent practicable, the department shall maintain public access on the existing route.
$17,500,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation is provided solely for a federal fund exchange pilot program. The pilot program must allow exchanges of federal surface transportation block grant population funding and state funds at an exchange rate of 95 cents in state funds per $1.00 in federal funds. The projects receiving the exchanged federal funds must adhere to all federal requirements, including the applicable disadvantaged business enterprise goals. The entirety of the appropriation in this subsection must be held in unallotted status until surface transportation block grant population funding has been offered to the state and the department determines that a federalized project or projects funded in this section is eligible to spend the surface transportation block grant population funding. $7,125,000 from existing state appropriations identified elsewhere within this section are available to be used as part of the exchange. Upon determination that a project or projects funded in this section is eligible to spend the offered surface transportation block grant population funding, state funds appropriated in this section for the eligible state project or projects in an amount equal to 100 percent of the offered surface transportation block grant population funding must be placed in unallotted status. The legislature intends to evaluate utilization and efficacy of this program, and if underutilized, the program is intended to not continue into future biennia.
The appropriations in this section include funding for the following projects:
SR 525 Bridge Replacement - Mukilteo;
SR 4/Abernathy Creek Br - Replace Bridge;
SR 155/Omak Bridge Rehabilitation;
SR 243 Pavement Preservation and Shoulder Rebuild; and
SR 104/Port Angeles Graving Dock Settlement and Remediation.
As part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, the department must provide a map of preservation projects that it expects to fund over the following six fiscal years based on the funding levels shown in this act and based on the funding levels requested in its 2026 supplemental budget submittal.
The department may not proceed with construction of the US 195/Colfax North Fork Palouse River - Replace Bridges project during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The legislature intends for the project to be delayed until the 2029-2031 fiscal biennium.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS—PROGRAM Q—CAPITAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: $5,621,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation, $6,500,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation, and $635,000 of the motor vehicle account—private/local appropriation are provided solely for Programmatic Investment for Traffic Operations Capital projects (000005Q). By December 15th of each odd-numbered year, the department shall provide a report to the legislature listing all traffic operations capital project investments completed in the prior fiscal biennium.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM V—CAPITAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire appropriations in this section are provided solely for the projects and activities as listed by project and amount in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Public Transportation Program (V).
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$135,229,000 of the regional mobility grant program account—state appropriation is provided solely for regional mobility grant projects. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $58,447,000 is for the reappropriation of amounts provided for this purpose in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The department shall review all projects receiving grant awards under this program at least semiannually to determine whether the projects are making satisfactory progress. Any project that has been awarded funds, but does not report activity on the project within one year of the grant award, must be reviewed by the department to determine whether the grant should be terminated. The department shall promptly close out grants when projects have been completed, and any remaining funds must be used only to fund projects identified in the LEAP transportation document referenced in this section. The department shall provide annual status reports on December 15, 2025, and December 15, 2026, to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature regarding the projects receiving the grants. A grantee may not receive more than 25 percent of the amount appropriated in this subsection unless all other funding is awarded. Additionally, when allocating funding for the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium, no more than 30 percent of the total grant program may directly benefit or support one grantee unless all other funding is awarded.
To be eligible to receive a grant under (a) of this subsection during the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium, a transit agency must establish a process for private transportation providers to apply for the use of park and ride facilities.
For purposes of this subsection:
"Private transportation provider" means an auto transportation company regulated under chapter 81.68 RCW; a passenger charter carrier regulated under chapter 81.70 RCW, except marked or unmarked stretch limousines and stretch sport utility vehicles as defined under department of licensing rules; a private nonprofit transportation provider regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW; or a private employer transportation service provider; and
"Private employer transportation service" means regularly scheduled, fixed-route transportation service that is offered by an employer for the benefit of its employees.
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department shall consider applications submitted by regional transportation planning organizations and metropolitan planning organizations for the regional mobility grant program funding in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium.
If savings are realized from the underspending or cancellation of projects appropriated in this section, the department may advance any project or projects listed in the "2025-2027 Regional Mobility Grant Program Prioritized Project" list. The funding of any project or projects chosen to be advanced is subject to approval by the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature.
$11,635,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for move ahead WA tribal transit grant projects. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,635,000 is for the reappropriation of amounts provided for this purpose in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. $100,000 of the amount provided in this subsection may be used for program administration and staffing. By December 1, 2026, the department must submit a prioritized list to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature of new projects totaling no more than $5,762,000.
$7,758,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for additional bus and bus facility projects. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,467,000 is for Kitsap Transit for inductive charging units for transit centers (BU232506), $1,891,000 is for Twin Transit for zero-emission vehicle acquisition (BU232505), and $4,400,000 is for C-TRAN for Highway 99 BRT hydrogen fuel cell buses (BU232507).
$11,800,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for the following projects:
Base Refurbish & Expansion for Growth/Columbia County Public Transportation (L4000182);
Kitsap Transit: Design & Shore Power (G2000115);
Pierce Transit - Meridian (L2021197); and
King County Metro South Annex Base - Electrification Elements (L4000174).
$7,442,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is reappropriated and provided solely for additional green transportation capital projects. Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $1,000,000 is for the Jefferson Transit - Electric Bus Replacement project (GT23250A), $1,023,000 is for the Pacific Transit - Electrification of the Paratransit Fleet project (GT23250C), $3,795,000 is for the C-TRAN - Hydrogen Fueling Station Infrastructure project (GT23250D), and $1,623,000 is for the Island Transit - Fleet Expansion project (GT23250E).
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM W
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire appropriations in this section are provided solely for the projects and activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Washington State Ferries Capital Program (W).
$5,000,000 of the Puget Sound capital construction account—state appropriation is provided solely for emergency capital repair costs (999910K). Funds may only be spent after approval by the office of financial management.
The legislature intends to align funding of vessel conversions (L1000339) pursuant to decisions and negotiation outcomes of the governor and relevant parties.
The legislature intends to reassess funding for Bainbridge Island terminal electrification based on progression of the electrification program and future recommendations of the department.
The appropriations in this section include savings assumed under section 719 of this act. By October 15, 2026, Washington state ferries must report to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management any estimated savings, efficiencies realized, and recommendations for further improvements.
$6,000,000 of the Puget Sound capital construction account—state appropriation is provided solely for modernization of the ticketing and reservation system (990052C). The department must prioritize integration of ORCA payment, Good to Go! payment, and mobile payment platforms into the new system at the earliest possible phase.
The department may, subject to the conditions in this subsection, enter into one or more financing contracts pursuant to chapter 39.94 RCW through the state treasurer's lease-purchase program for the purpose of securing hybrid electric vessels for the Washington state ferry system. The department may use funds appropriated for the hybrid vessel procurement program (L2021073), for not more than the principal amounts necessary, plus financing expenses and required reserves if any. Expenditures made by the department for the indicated purposes before the issuance date of the authorized financing contract and any certificates of participation in the financing contract may be reimbursed from proceeds of the financing contract and any certificates of participation in the financing contract to the extent provided in the department's financing plan approved by the state finance committee.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—RAIL—PROGRAM Y—CAPITAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire appropriations in this section are provided solely for the projects and activities as listed by project and amount in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Rail Program (Y).
$1,500,000 of the transportation infrastructure account—state appropriation is provided solely for new low-interest loans approved by the department through the freight rail investment bank (FRIB) program identified in the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section.
$6,899,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for new statewide emergent freight rail assistance projects identified in the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section.
$10,000,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for any project activities and state match contributions for the federal corridor identification program for a new ultra high-speed ground transportation corridor (L2021074). The department must provide periodic updates to the transportation committees of the legislature.
It is the intent of the legislature that $2,400,000 of carbon emissions reduction account—state funds be added to the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium for Tacoma Rail Zero-Emission Locomotives and Charging (L1000327) and the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly. This change reflects updated spending and does not affect total project cost.
$250,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Downtown Kennewick-Railway Grade Separation project. The legislature intends that the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z—CAPITAL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as provided otherwise in this section, the entire appropriations in this section are provided solely for the projects and activities as listed by project and amount in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, Program - Local Programs Program (Z).
The amounts identified in the LEAP transportation document referenced under subsection (1) of this section for pedestrian safety/safe routes to school are as follows:
$38,380,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation and $43,372,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation are provided solely for pedestrian and bicycle safety program projects (L2000188 and L1000335). Of the amount of climate active transportation account funds appropriated in this subsection, up to one percent may be used for program administration and staffing.
$16,933,000 of the motor vehicle account—federal appropriation, $53,139,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation, and $13,321,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation are provided solely for safe routes to school projects (L2000189 and L1000334). Of the amount of climate active transportation account funds appropriated in this subsection, up to one percent may be used for program administration and staffing.
For future rounds of grant selection, the department must reevaluate the criteria to increase geographic diversity of jurisdictions consistent with the requirements of the healthy environment for all (HEAL) act.
The department shall submit a report to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2025, and December 1, 2026, on the status of projects funded as part of the pedestrian safety/safe routes to school grant program and the Sandy Williams connecting communities grant program.
$22,000,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for a federal fund exchange pilot program. The pilot program will allow exchanges of federal surface transportation block grant population funding and state funds at an exchange rate of 95 cents in state funds per $1.00 in federal funds. The entirety of the appropriation in this subsection must be held in unallotted status until: Surface transportation block grant population funding has been offered to the state, the department determines that a federalized project or projects funded in section 305 or 306 of this act, is eligible to spend the surface transportation block grant population funding, and state funds appropriated in section 305 or 306 of this act, for the eligible state project or projects in an amount equal to 100 percent of the offered surface transportation block grant population funding have been placed in unallotted status. A report on the effectiveness of the exchange program, the total estimated cost of program administration, and recommendations for continuing the pilot program is due to the governor and transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2026. The department may issue additional calls for projects with any remaining funds provided in this subsection. The legislature intends to evaluate utilization and efficacy of this program, and if underutilized, the program is intended not to continue into future biennia.
$33,200,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Sandy Williams connecting communities pilot program (L1000308) to deliver projects to reconnect communities that have been bifurcated by state highways. Priority must be given to historically marginalized or overburdened communities. The department may consult with the Cooper Jones active transportation safety council to identify geographic locations where there are high incidences of serious injuries and fatalities of active transportation users among vulnerable populations.
$500,000 of the multimodal transportation account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to award grants to local jurisdictions to implement network-wide traffic conflict screening programs using video analytics in controlled intersections with a disproportionate number of traffic violations and injuries to active transportation users (L2021149). Grants must be awarded proportionally across the state and include controlled intersections in both urban and rural environments and along state highways and county roads. Grant recipients must report back to the department all traffic violation and active transportation facility data acquired during the grant period and provide the department with appropriate next steps for the state and the local jurisdiction to improve traffic safety for active transportation users in such intersections. The department must report such findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2025.
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$10,568,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to continue providing rebates to qualifying persons who purchase e-bikes and qualifying equipment and services from a qualifying retailer in accordance with rebate program qualification, application, retailer, and reimbursement requirements under section 310(16)(a), chapter 472, Laws of 2023. Of this amount, $4,000,000 is for rebate amounts as described under (a)(i) of this subsection and $3,000,000 is for rebate amounts as described under (a)(ii) of this subsection.
For persons who are at least 16 years of age and reside in households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the county area median income, the amount of the rebate is up to $1,200 on the sale of an e-bike and any qualifying equipment and services.
For all other persons who are at least 16 years of age, the amount of the rebate is up to $300 on the sale of an e-bike and any qualifying equipment and services.
Of the amounts provided in this subsection (7), $3,568,000 of the carbon emissions reduction account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to continue its e-bike lending library and ownership grant program in accordance with program requirements under section 310(16)(b), chapter 472, Laws of 2023.
The department may not collect more than five percent of appropriated amounts to administer the programs under (a) and (b) of this subsection.
The entire freight mobility investment account—state appropriation and the entire freight mobility multimodal account—state appropriation are provided solely for freight mobility strategic investment board projects listed in the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section.
$2,000,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for bicycle and pedestrian improvements for cities hosting 2026 World Cup activities. Of the amount provided in this subsection, $1,000,000 is for the city of Seattle, and up to $110,000 is for each of the nine cities across Washington hosting fan zones. Funding must be used for temporary or permanent improvements or strategies that will improve bicycle and pedestrian access, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and active transportation utilization of streets near or connecting to areas where large groups of people will gather for World Cup festivities. Local agencies must submit plans to the department for review by December 1, 2025, and all improvements must be implemented by June 1, 2026.
It is the intent of the legislature that $1,418,000 of the freight mobility investment account—state appropriation and $1,200,000 of the freight mobility multimodal account—state appropriation be added to Port of Tacoma Rd Interchange (3LP138F) and the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly.
$70,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Confluence Parkway Infra Match project (L2021180). The legislature intends for $10,000,000 of move ahead WA account—state funds to be provided for the project in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium and for the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section to be updated accordingly.
The legislature intends that the title of SR 520 & 148th Avenue NE Bicycle/Pedestrian Crossing (L2021047) be updated to Overlake Area Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements, the scope be modified to account for multimodal and access improvements in the Overlake area, and that the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly.
$1,680,000 of the motor vehicle account—state appropriation is provided solely for the SR 16/Wollochet Dr Safety Improvements project (L2021145). The legislature intends that the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly.
$10,206,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the North Lewis County Industrial Access project (N400526I). The legislature intends that $33,873,000 be provided for this project in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium and that the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section be updated accordingly.
ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPITAL PROGRAM
As part of its annual budget submittal, the department of transportation shall provide an update to the report provided to the legislature in the prior fiscal year in a manner consistent with past practices as specified in section 312, chapter 333, Laws of 2021.
QUARTERLY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CAPITAL PROGRAM
On a quarterly basis, the department of transportation shall provide to the office of financial management and the legislative transportation committees a report for all capital projects in a manner consistent with past practices as specified in section 313, chapter 186, Laws of 2022.
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PAUSES AND CANCELLATIONS
The department of transportation shall notify the transportation committees of the legislature when it intends to pause for a significant length of time or not proceed with operating items or capital projects included as budget provisos or on project lists. When feasible, this notification shall be provided prior to the pause or cancellation and at least seven days in advance of any public announcement related to such a pause or cancellation.
At the time of notification, the department shall provide an explanation for the reason or reasons for the pause or cancellation for each operating budget item and capital project. The explanation shall include specific reasons for each pause or cancellation, in addition to a statement of the broad rationale for the pause or cancellation.
When feasible, the department shall make best efforts to keep the transportation committees of the legislature informed of an evaluation process underway for selecting operating budget items and capital projects to be paused or canceled, providing updates as its selection efforts proceed.
When exigent circumstances prevent prior notice of a pause or cancellation from being provided to the transportation committees of the legislature, the department shall provide the information required under this section to the transportation committees of the legislature as soon as is practicable.
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FUNDS MANAGEMENT
As part of the department's 2026 supplemental and 2027-2029 biennial budget requests, the department shall also report on:
The federal grant programs it has applied for; and
The federal competitive grant programs it could have applied for but did not and the reason or reasons it did not apply.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALES DISCOUNTS AND DEBT TO BE PAID BY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCOUNT AND TRANSPORTATION FUND REVENUE
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations: The toll facility bond retirement account—state appropriation includes up to $5,500,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR DEBT TO BE PAID BY STATUTORILY PRESCRIBED REVENUE
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALE EXPENSES AND FISCAL AGENT CHARGES
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—STATE REVENUES FOR DISTRIBUTION
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—TRANSFERS
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING—TRANSFERS
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
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Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead WA
Account—State$603,000,000
b. The amount transferred in this subsection represents proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.873. Transfers under this subsection are deemed for projects or improvements identified as transportation partnership projects or improvements for purposes of RCW 47.10.873. Appropriations in the amount of this transfer are made in this act to reflect proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.873.
Account—State Appropriation: For transfer to the
Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge Account—State$4,436,000
Account—State Appropriation: For transfer to the
Move Ahead WA Account—State$29,000,000
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Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead WA
Account—State$330,000,000
b. The amount transferred in this subsection represents proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.889. Transfers under this subsection are deemed for projects or improvements identified as connecting Washington projects or improvements for purposes of RCW 47.10.889. Appropriations in the amount of this transfer are made in this act to reflect proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.889.
For transfer to the Puget Sound Capital Construction
Account—State$105,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Motor Vehicle
Account—State$55,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Puget Sound Ferry
Operations Account—State$172,000,000
For transfer to the State Patrol Highway
Account—State$136,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead
WA Account—State$195,000,000
For transfer to the Multimodal Transportation
Account—State$320,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the
Multimodal Transportation Account—State.$9,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Multimodal
Transportation Account—State$8,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to Move Ahead WA
Flexible Account—State$3,600,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the
Move Ahead WA Account—State$40,000,000
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Account—State Appropriation: For transfer to the
Transportation Partnership Account—State$22,896,000
b. The amount transferred in this subsection represents repayment of debt service incurred for the construction of the SR 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement project (809936Z).
Appropriation: For transfer to the
Move Ahead WA Account—State$29,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Motor
Vehicle Account—State$2,000,000
For transfer to the State Patrol Highway
Account—State$48,000,000
For transfer to the County Arterial Preservation
Account—State$4,844,000
For transfer to the Freight Mobility Investment
Account—State$8,511,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Rural Arterial
Trust Account—State$4,844,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Transportation
Improvement Account—State$9,688,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Puget Sound Capital
Construction Account—State$115,315,000
Account—State Appropriation: For transfer to the Motor
Vehicle Account—State$3,000,000
Account—State Appropriation: For transfer to the
State Route Number 520 Corridor Account—State$1,752,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead WA
Account—State$18,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead WA
Flexible Account—State$3,770,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Puget Sound
Ferry Operations Account—State$64,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Complete Streets
Grant Program Account—State$14,670,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Freight Mobility
Multimodal Account—State$8,511,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Puget Sound Capital
Construction Account—State$130,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Regional Mobility
Grant Program Account—State$27,679,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Rural Mobility
Grant Program Account—State$12,223,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the State Patrol
Highway Account—State$23,000,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Puget Sound Ferry
Operations Account—State$4,200,000
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Appropriation: For transfer to the State Patrol Highway
Account—State$625,000
b. The state treasurer shall transfer the funds under this subsection only after receiving notification from the Washington state patrol under section 207 of this act.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS NOT IMPAIRED
Nothing in this act prohibits the expenditure of any funds by an agency or institution of the state for benefits guaranteed by any collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of this section.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
In accordance with chapters 41.80, 41.56, and 47.64 RCW, agreements have been reached between the governor and employee organizations representing state employee bargaining units for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and funding is provided in this act for agreement with the following organizations:
Washington federation of state employees, general government;
Professional and technical engineers, local 17;
The coalition of unions;
Washington state patrol troopers association;
Washington state patrol lieutenants and captains association;
Office and professional employees international union local 8;
Ferry agents, supervisors, and project administrators association;
Service employees international union local 6;
Puget Sound metal trades council;
Marine engineers' beneficial association unlicensed engine room employees;
Marine engineers' beneficial association licensed engineer officers;
Marine engineers' beneficial association port engineers;
Masters, mates, and pilots - mates;
Masters, mates, and pilots - masters;
Masters, mates, and pilots – watch center supervisors; and
Inlandboatmen's union of the Pacific;
Expenditures for agreements in this section may also be funded from nonappropriated accounts. If positions are funded with lidded grants or dedicated fund sources with insufficient revenue, additional funding from other sources is not provided.
COMPENSATION—INSURANCE BENEFITS
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An agreement was reached for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium between the governor and the health care coalition under the provisions of chapter 41.80 RCW. Appropriations in this act for state agencies are sufficient to implement the provisions of the 2025-2027 collective bargaining agreement.
Appropriations for state agencies in this act are sufficient for represented employees outside the coalition and for nonrepresented state employee health benefits.
The appropriations for state agencies in this act for benefits provided by the public employees' benefits board are subject to conditions and limitations as provided in the omnibus operating appropriations act.
GENERAL WAGE INCREASES
Appropriations for state agency employee compensation in this act are sufficient to provide general wage increases to state agency employees and employees of institutions of higher education, who are not represented or who bargain under statutory authority other than chapter 41.80 or 47.64 RCW or RCW 41.56.473 or 41.56.475, as described in the omnibus operating appropriations act.
COMPENSATION—PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
Appropriations in this act for state agencies are adjusted to reflect pension contribution rates adopted by the pension funding council and the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 board and as otherwise provided in the omnibus operating appropriations act.
COMPENSATION—FURLOUGHS
Appropriations in this act for state agencies, including institutions of higher education, are reduced for temporary compensation reductions for state government employees as required under chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5792), Laws of 2025 (state employee compensation).
MANAGEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT IN SESSION
The 2005 transportation partnership projects or improvements, 2015 connecting Washington projects or improvements, and move ahead WA projects or improvements are listed in the LEAP Transportation Document 2025-1 as developed March 24, 2025, which consists of a list of specific projects by fund source and amount over multiple biennia. Current fiscal biennium funding for each project is a line-item appropriation, while the outer year funding allocations represent a six-year plan. The department of transportation is expected to use the flexibility provided in this section to assist in the delivery and completion of all transportation partnership account, connecting Washington account, and move ahead WA account projects on the LEAP transportation document referenced in this subsection. For the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 project appropriations, unless otherwise provided in this act, the director of the office of financial management may provide written authorization for a transfer of appropriation authority between projects funded with transportation partnership account appropriations, connecting Washington account appropriations, or move ahead WA account appropriations to manage project spending and efficiently deliver all projects in the respective program under the following conditions and limitations:
Transfers may only be made within each specific fund source referenced on the respective project list;
Transfers from a project may not be made as a result of the reduction of the scope of a project or be made to support increases in the scope of a project;
Transfers from a project may be made if the funds appropriated to the project are in excess of the amount needed in the current fiscal biennium;
Transfers may not occur for projects not identified on the applicable project list;
Transfers to a project may not occur if that project is a programmatic funding item described in broad general terms on the applicable project list without referencing a specific state route number;
Transfers may not be made while the legislature is in session;
Transfers to a project may not be made with funds designated as attributable to practical design savings as described in RCW 47.01.480;
The total amount of transfers under this section may not exceed $100,000,000;
Each transfer between projects may only occur if the director of the office of financial management finds that any resulting change will not hinder the completion of the projects as approved by the legislature; and
Transfers between projects may be made by the department of transportation without the formal written approval provided under this subsection (1), provided that the transfer amount to a single project does not exceed $250,000 or 10 percent of the total project per fiscal biennium, whichever is less. These transfers must be reported quarterly to the director of the office of financial management and the chairs of the house of representatives and senate transportation committees.
The department of transportation must submit quarterly all transfers authorized under this section in the transportation executive information system. The office of financial management must maintain a legislative baseline project list identified in the LEAP transportation documents referenced in this act, and update that project list with all authorized transfers under this section, including any effects to the total project budgets and schedules beyond the current fiscal biennium.
At the time the department submits a request to transfer funds under this section, a copy of the request must be submitted to the chairs and ranking members of the transportation committees of the legislature.
Before approval, the office of financial management shall work with legislative staff of the house of representatives and senate transportation committees to review the requested transfers in a timely manner and address any concerns raised by the chairs and ranking members of the transportation committees.
No fewer than 10 days after the receipt of a project transfer request, the director of the office of financial management must provide written notification to the department of any decision regarding project transfers, with copies submitted to the transportation committees of the legislature.
The department must submit annually as part of its budget submittal a report detailing all transfers made pursuant to this section, including any effects to the total project budgets and schedules beyond the current fiscal biennium.
BOND REIMBURSEMENT
To the extent that any appropriation authorizes expenditures of state funds from the motor vehicle account, special category C account, Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account, transportation 2003 account (nickel account), transportation partnership account, transportation improvement account, Puget Sound capital construction account, multimodal transportation account, state route number 520 corridor account, connecting Washington account, or other transportation capital project account in the state treasury for a state transportation program that is specified to be funded with proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in chapter 47.10 RCW, the legislature declares that any such expenditures made before the issue date of the applicable transportation bonds for that state transportation program are intended to be reimbursed from proceeds of those transportation bonds in a maximum amount equal to the amount of such appropriation.
BELATED CLAIMS
The agencies and institutions of the state may expend moneys appropriated in this act, upon approval of the office of financial management, for the payment of supplies and services furnished to the agency or institution in prior fiscal biennia.
REAPPROPRIATIONS REPORTING
As part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, the department of transportation shall provide a report to the legislature and the office of financial management that:
Identifies, by capital project, the amount of state funding that has been reappropriated from the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium into the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium; and
Identifies, for each project, the amount of cost savings or increases in funding that have been identified as compared to the 2023 enacted omnibus transportation appropriations act.
As part of the agency request for capital programs, the department shall load reappropriations separately from funds that were assumed to be required for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium into budgeting systems.
WEBSITE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The department of transportation shall post on its website every report that is due from the department to the legislature during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium on one web page in a manner consistent with past practices as specified in section 605, chapter 333, Laws of 2021.
TRANSIT, BICYCLE, AND PEDESTRIAN ELEMENTS REPORTING
By November 15th of each year, the department of transportation must report on amounts expended to benefit transit, bicycle, or pedestrian elements within all connecting Washington projects in programs I, P, and Z identified in LEAP Transportation Document 2025-2 ALL PROJECTS as developed March 24, 2025, in a manner consistent with past practices as specified in section 602, chapter 186, Laws of 2022.
PROJECT SCOPE CHANGES
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, while the legislature is not in session, the director of the office of financial management may approve project scope change requests to connecting Washington projects and move ahead WA projects in the highway improvements program, provided that the requests meet the criteria outlined in RCW 47.01.480 if a connecting Washington project, and are subject to the limitations in this section.
At the time the department of transportation submits a request for a project scope change under this section, a copy of the request must be submitted to the transportation committees of the legislature.
Before approval, the office of financial management shall work with legislative staff of the house of representatives and senate transportation committees to review the requested project scope changes.
No fewer than 10 days after the receipt of a scope change request, the director of the office of financial management must provide written notification to the department of any decision regarding project scope changes, with copies submitted to the transportation committees of the legislature.
As part of its annual budget submittal, the department of transportation must report on all approved scope change requests from the prior year, including a comparison of the scope before and after the requested change.
TOLL CREDITS
The department of transportation, and any local partner on a project that may receive state funds, must indicate on any application for federal grants for eligible transportation projects, if and when possible, that toll credits may be used to fulfill state and local match requirements for any federal grant award amount.
The department of transportation may provide up to $5,000,000 in toll credits to Kitsap transit for its role in delivering capital projects related to Kitsap transit public transportation services including, but not limited to, ferry service. The number of toll credits provided must be equal to, but no more than, the number sufficient to meet federal match requirements for grant funding for passenger-only ferry service, but must not exceed the amount authorized in this section.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OVERSIGHT
The following transportation projects are subject to the conditions, limitations, and review provided in section 701 (2) through (12), chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5167) (omnibus operating appropriations act): For the department of transportation: Washington state ferries dispatch system replacement and Washington state ferries ticketing and reservations modernization.
There is created in the motor vehicle fund the rural arterial trust account. All moneys deposited in the motor vehicle fund to be credited to the rural arterial trust account shall be expended for (1) the construction and improvement of county rural arterials and collectors, (2) the construction of replacement bridges funded by the federal bridge replacement program on access roads in rural areas, and (3) those expenses of the board associated with the administration of the rural arterial program. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the rural arterial trust account may also be used for staffing-related expenses of the board, contracting costs, and grants associated with bridge ratings.
The multiuse roadway safety account is created in the motor vehicle fund. All receipts from vehicle license fees under RCW 46.17.350(1)(r) must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for grants administered by the department of transportation to: (a) Counties to perform safety engineering analysis of mixed vehicle use on any road within a county; (b) local governments to provide funding to erect signs providing notice to the motoring public that (i) wheeled all-terrain vehicles are present or (ii) wheeled all-terrain vehicles may be crossing; (c) the state patrol or local law enforcement for purposes of defraying the costs of enforcement of chapter 23, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess.; (d) law enforcement to investigate accidents involving wheeled all-terrain vehicles; and (e) during the 2021-2023 biennium grants may be made to counties to (i) enhance or maintain any segment of a road within the county in which the segment has been designated as part of a travel or tourism route for use by wheeled all-terrain vehicles; and (ii) purchase, print, develop, or use educational brochures or mapping technology that aids in the safety and direction of users of wheeled all-terrain vehicle routes.
The department of transportation must prioritize grant awards in the following priority order:
For the purpose of marking highway crossings with signs warning motorists that wheeled all-terrain vehicles may be crossing when an ORV recreation facility parking lot is on the other side of a public roadway from the actual ORV recreation facility; and
For the purpose of marking intersections with signs where a wheeled all-terrain vehicle may cross a public road to advise motorists of the upcoming intersection. Such signs must conform to the manual on uniform traffic control devices.
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys from the multiuse roadway safety account to the motor vehicle account.
The ignition interlock device revolving account program is created within the department to assist in covering the monetary costs of installing, removing, and leasing an ignition interlock device, and applicable licensing, for indigent persons who are required under RCW 46.20.385, 46.20.720, and 46.61.5055 to install an ignition interlock device in all vehicles owned or operated by the person. For purposes of this subsection, "indigent" has the same meaning as in RCW 10.101.010, as determined by the department. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the ignition interlock device revolving account program also includes ignition interlock enforcement work conducted by the Washington state patrol.
A pilot program is created within the ignition interlock device revolving account program for the purpose of monitoring compliance by persons required to use ignition interlock devices and by ignition interlock companies and vendors.
The department, the state patrol, and the Washington traffic safety commission shall coordinate to establish a compliance pilot program that will target at least one county from eastern Washington and one county from western Washington, as determined by the department, state patrol, and Washington traffic safety commission.
At a minimum, the compliance pilot program shall:
Review the number of ignition interlock devices that are required to be installed in the targeted county and the number of ignition interlock devices actually installed;
Work to identify those persons who are not complying with ignition interlock requirements or are repeatedly violating ignition interlock requirements; and
Identify ways to track compliance and reduce noncompliance.
As part of monitoring compliance, the Washington traffic safety commission shall also track recidivism for violations of RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.504 by persons required to have an ignition interlock driver's license under RCW 46.20.385 and 46.20.720.
The department of licensing technology improvement and data management account is created in the highway safety account. All receipts from fees collected under RCW 46.12.630(5) must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for investments in technology and data management at the department. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the account may also be used for responding to public records requests. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
All moneys that have accrued or may accrue to the motor vehicle fund from the fuel tax must be first expended for purposes enumerated in (a) and (b) of this subsection. The remaining net tax amount must be distributed monthly by the state treasurer in accordance with subsections (2) through (8) of this section.
For payment of refunds of fuel tax that has been paid and is refundable as provided by law;
For payment of amounts to be expended pursuant to appropriations for the administrative expenses of the offices of state treasurer, state auditor, and the department of licensing of the state of Washington in the administration of the fuel tax, which sums must be distributed monthly.
All of the remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030(1) must be distributed as set forth in (a) through (j) of this subsection.
For distribution to the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 44.387 percent to be expended for highway purposes of the state as defined in RCW 46.68.130;
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For distribution to the special category C account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount equal to 3.2609 percent to be expended for special category C projects. Special category C projects are category C projects that, due to high cost only, will require bond financing to complete construction.
The following criteria, listed in order of priority, must be used in determining which special category C projects have the highest priority:
(A) Accident experience;
(B) Fatal accident experience;
(C) Capacity to move people and goods safely and at reasonable speeds without undue congestion; and
(D) Continuity of development of the highway transportation network.
iii. Moneys deposited in the special category C account in the motor vehicle fund may be used for payment of debt service on bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance special category C projects under this subsection (2)(b);
iv. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys from the special category C account to the move ahead WA account;
c. For distribution to the Puget Sound ferry operations account in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 2.3283 percent;
d. For distribution to the Puget Sound capital construction account in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 2.3726 percent;
e. For distribution to the transportation improvement account in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 7.5597 percent;
f. For distribution to the transportation improvement account in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 5.6739 percent and expended in accordance with RCW 47.26.086;
g. For distribution to the cities and towns from the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 10.6961 percent in accordance with RCW 46.68.110;
h. For distribution to the counties from the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 19.2287 percent: (i) Out of which there must be distributed from time to time, as directed by the department of transportation, those sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of RCW 47.56.725; and (ii) less any amounts appropriated to the county road administration board to implement the provisions of RCW 47.56.725(4), with the balance of such county share to be distributed monthly as the same accrues for distribution in accordance with RCW 46.68.120;
i. For distribution to the county arterial preservation account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 1.9565 percent. These funds must be distributed by the county road administration board to counties in proportions corresponding to the number of paved arterial lane miles in the unincorporated area of each county and must be used for improvements to sustain the structural, safety, and operational integrity of county arterials. The county road administration board must adopt reasonable rules and develop policies to implement this program and to assure that a pavement management system is used. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the county arterial preservation account may also be used for staffing-related expenses of the board, contracting costs, and grants associated with bridge ratings;
j. For distribution to the rural arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund an amount equal to 2.5363 percent and expended in accordance with RCW 36.79.020.
The remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030(2) must be distributed to the transportation 2003 account (nickel account).
The remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030(3) must be distributed as follows:
8.3333 percent must be distributed to the incorporated cities and towns of the state in accordance with RCW 46.68.110;
8.3333 percent must be distributed to counties of the state in accordance with RCW 46.68.120; and
The remainder must be distributed to the transportation partnership account created in RCW 46.68.290.
The remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030(4) must be distributed as follows:
8.3333 percent must be distributed to the incorporated cities and towns of the state in accordance with RCW 46.68.110;
8.3333 percent must be distributed to counties of the state in accordance with RCW 46.68.120; and
The remainder must be distributed to the transportation partnership account created in RCW 46.68.290.
The remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030 (5) and (6) must be distributed to the transportation partnership account created in RCW 46.68.290.
The remaining net tax amount collected under RCW 82.38.030 (7) and (8) must be distributed to the connecting Washington account created in RCW 46.68.395.
Nothing in this section or in RCW 46.68.130 may be construed so as to violate any terms or conditions contained in any highway construction bond issues now or hereafter authorized by statute and whose payment is by such statute pledged to be paid from any excise taxes on fuel.
2.
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the transportation 2003 account (nickel account) to the move ahead WA account.
The transportation partnership account is hereby created in the motor vehicle account. All distributions to the account from RCW 46.68.090 must be deposited into the account. Money in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account must be used only for projects or improvements identified as 2005 transportation partnership projects or improvements in the omnibus transportation appropriations act, including any principal and interest on bonds authorized for the projects or improvements.
The legislature finds that:
Citizens demand and deserve accountability of transportation-related programs and expenditures. Transportation-related programs must continuously improve in quality, efficiency, and effectiveness in order to increase public trust;
Transportation-related agencies that receive tax dollars must continuously improve the way they operate and deliver services so citizens receive maximum value for their tax dollars; and
Fair, independent, comprehensive performance audits of transportation-related agencies overseen by the elected state auditor are essential to improving the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of the state's transportation system.
For purposes of chapter 314, Laws of 2005:
"Performance audit" means an objective and systematic assessment of a state agency or agencies or any of their programs, functions, or activities by the state auditor or designee in order to help improve agency efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Performance audits include economy and efficiency audits and program audits.
"Transportation-related agency" means any state agency, board, or commission that receives funding primarily for transportation-related purposes. At a minimum, the department of transportation, the transportation improvement board or its successor entity, the county road administration board or its successor entity, and the traffic safety commission are considered transportation-related agencies. The Washington state patrol and the department of licensing shall not be considered transportation-related agencies under chapter 314, Laws of 2005.
Within the authorities and duties under chapter 43.09 RCW, the state auditor shall establish criteria and protocols for performance audits. Transportation-related agencies shall be audited using criteria that include generally accepted government auditing standards as well as legislative mandates and performance objectives established by state agencies. Mandates include, but are not limited to, agency strategies, timelines, program objectives, and mission and goals as required in RCW 43.88.090.
Within the authorities and duties under chapter 43.09 RCW, the state auditor may conduct performance audits for transportation-related agencies. The state auditor shall contract with private firms to conduct the performance audits.
The audits may include:
Identification of programs and services that can be eliminated, reduced, consolidated, or enhanced;
Identification of funding sources to the transportation-related agency, to programs, and to services that can be eliminated, reduced, consolidated, or enhanced;
Analysis of gaps and overlaps in programs and services and recommendations for improving, dropping, blending, or separating functions to correct gaps or overlaps;
Analysis and recommendations for pooling information technology systems used within the transportation-related agency, and evaluation of information processing and telecommunications policy, organization, and management;
Analysis of the roles and functions of the transportation-related agency, its programs, and its services and their compliance with statutory authority and recommendations for eliminating or changing those roles and functions and ensuring compliance with statutory authority;
Recommendations for eliminating or changing statutes, rules, and policy directives as may be necessary to ensure that the transportation-related agency carry out reasonably and properly those functions vested in the agency by statute;
Verification of the reliability and validity of transportation-related agency performance data, self-assessments, and performance measurement systems as required under RCW 43.88.090;
Identification of potential cost savings in the transportation-related agency, its programs, and its services;
Evaluation of planning, budgeting, and program evaluation policies and practices;
Evaluation of personnel systems operation and management;
Evaluation of purchasing operations and management policies and practices;
Evaluation of organizational structure and staffing levels, particularly in terms of the ratio of managers and supervisors to nonmanagement personnel; and
Evaluation of transportation-related project costs, including but not limited to environmental mitigation, competitive bidding practices, permitting processes, and capital project management.
Within the authorities and duties under chapter 43.09 RCW, the state auditor must provide the preliminary performance audit reports to the audited state agency for comment. The auditor also may seek input on the preliminary report from other appropriate officials. Comments must be received within 30 days after receipt of the preliminary performance audit report unless a different time period is approved by the state auditor. The final performance audit report shall include the objectives, scope, and methodology; the audit results, including findings and recommendations; the agency's response and conclusions; and identification of best practices.
The state auditor shall provide final performance audit reports to the citizens of Washington, the governor, the joint legislative audit and review committee, the appropriate legislative committees, and other appropriate officials. Final performance audit reports shall be posted on the internet.
The audited transportation-related agency is responsible for follow-up and corrective action on all performance audit findings and recommendations. The audited agency's plan for addressing each audit finding and recommendation shall be included in the final audit report. The plan shall provide the name of the contact person responsible for each action, the action planned, and the anticipated completion date. If the audited agency does not agree with the audit findings and recommendations or believes action is not required, then the action plan shall include an explanation and specific reasons.
The office of financial management shall require periodic progress reports from the audited agency until all resolution has occurred. The office of financial management is responsible for achieving audit resolution. The office of financial management shall annually report by December 31st the status of performance audit resolution to the appropriate legislative committees and the state auditor. The legislature shall consider the performance audit results in connection with the state budget process.
The auditor may request status reports on specific audits or findings.
For the period from July 1, 2005, until June 30, 2007, the amount of $4,000,000 is appropriated from the transportation partnership account to the state auditors office for the purposes of subsections (2) through (9) of this section.
During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the transportation partnership account to the motor vehicle account, the move ahead WA account, and the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account.
The freight mobility investment account is hereby created in the state treasury. Money in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for freight mobility projects that have been recommended by the freight mobility strategic investment board in RCW 47.06A.020 and may include any principal and interest on bonds authorized for the projects or improvements. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the expenditures from the account may also be used for the administrative expenses of the freight mobility strategic investment board.
The regional mobility grant program account is hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the grants provided under RCW 47.66.030.
Beginning with September 2007, by the last day of September, December, March, and June of each year, the state treasurer shall transfer from the multimodal transportation account to the regional mobility grant program account $5,000,000.
Beginning with September 2015, by the last day of September, December, March, and June of each year, the state treasurer shall transfer from the multimodal transportation account to the regional mobility grant program account $6,250,000.
During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys from the regional mobility grant program account to the multimodal transportation account.
The license plate technology account is created in the state treasury. All receipts collected under RCW 46.17.015 must be deposited into this account. Expenditures from this account must support current and future license plate technology and systems integration upgrades for both the department and correctional industries. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Additionally, the moneys in this account may be used to reimburse the motor vehicle fund for any appropriation made to implement the digital license plate system. During the 2011-2013 and 2013-2015 fiscal biennia, the legislature may transfer from the license plate technology account to the highway safety fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the license plate technology account. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the account may also be used for the maintenance of recently modernized information technology systems for vehicle registrations.
The connecting Washington account is created in the motor vehicle account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account must be used only for projects or improvements identified as connecting Washington projects or improvements in a transportation appropriations act, including any principal and interest on bonds authorized for the projects or improvements.
Moneys in the connecting Washington account may not be expended on the state route number 99 Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project.
During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the connecting Washington account to the move ahead WA account.
The move ahead WA account is created in the motor vehicle fund. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account must be used only for projects or improvements identified as move ahead WA projects or improvements in an omnibus transportation appropriations act, including any principal and interest on bonds authorized for the projects or improvements. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys from the move ahead WA account to the motor vehicle fund.
A special account to be known as the state route number 520 civil penalties account is created in the state treasury. All state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program civil penalties generated from the nonpayment of tolls on the state route number 520 corridor must be deposited into the account, as provided under RCW 47.56.870(4)(b)(vii). Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account must be used to fund legal obligations associated with bonds and loans associated with the construction and operation of state route number 520 under circumstances where the toll revenue collections at the time are not sufficient to fully cover such legal obligations, and then may be used to fund any project within the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, including mitigation. The legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the state route number 520 civil penalties account to the state route number 520 corridor account. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to transfer moneys in the state route number 520 civil penalties account to the motor vehicle fund.
For purposes of this section, "legal obligations associated with bonds and loans" includes, but is not limited to, debt service and all other activities necessary to comply with financial covenants associated with state route number 520, costs associated with the civil penalties program, and operation and maintenance costs.
The commission shall adopt fares and pricing policies by rule, under chapter 34.05 RCW, according to the following schedule:
Each year the department shall provide the commission a report of its review of fares and pricing policies, with recommendations for the revision of fares and pricing policies for the ensuing year;
By September 1st of each year, beginning in 2008, the commission shall adopt by rule fares and pricing policies for the ensuing year.
The commission may adopt by rule fares that are effective for more or less than one year for the purposes of transitioning to the fare schedule in subsection (1) of this section.
The commission may increase ferry fares included in the schedule of charges adopted under this section by a percentage that exceeds the fiscal growth factor.
The chief executive officer of the ferry system may authorize the use of promotional, discounted, and special event fares to the general public and commercial enterprises for the purpose of maximizing capacity use and the revenues collected by the ferry system. The department shall report to the commission a summary of the promotional, discounted, and special event fares offered during each fiscal year and the financial results from these activities.
Fare revenues and other revenues deposited in the Puget Sound ferry operations account created in RCW 47.60.530 may not be used to support the Puget Sound capital construction account created in RCW 47.60.505, unless the support for capital is separately identified in the fare or except as provided in section 716, chapter 472, Laws of 2023 during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium and section 716, chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (this act) during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
The commission may not raise fares until the fare rules contain pricing policies developed under RCW 47.60.290, or September 1, 2009, whichever is later.
The commission shall impose a vessel replacement surcharge of 25 cents on every one-way and round-trip ferry fare sold, including multiride and monthly pass fares. This surcharge must be clearly indicated to ferry passengers and drivers and, if possible, on the fare media itself.
Except as provided in subsection (10) of this section, beginning May 1, 2020, the commission shall impose an additional vessel replacement surcharge in an amount sufficient to fund 25 year debt service on one 144-auto hybrid vessel taking into account funds provided in chapter 417, Laws of 2019 or chapter . . . (SSB 5419), Laws of 2019. The department of transportation shall provide to the commission vessel and debt service cost estimates. Information on vessels constructed or purchased with revenue from the surcharges must be publicly posted including, but not limited to, the commission website.
The vessel replacement surcharges imposed in this section may only be used for the construction or purchase of ferry vessels and to pay the principal and interest on bonds authorized for the construction or purchase of new ferry vessels.
The commission shall not impose the additional vessel replacement surcharge in subsection (8) of this section if doing so would increase fares by more than 10 percent.
For the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, any ferry fuel surcharge imposed by the commission may not go into effect until after the ensuing regular legislative session. If a fuel surcharge is imposed as provided under this subsection, the commission must reevaluate the need for the surcharge on at least a quarterly basis to determine if the surcharge is still needed to cover increased fuel costs, and revoke the surcharge if the determination is that the surcharge is no longer needed for this purpose.
The Puget Sound ferry operations account is created in the motor vehicle account.
The following funds must be deposited into the account:
All moneys directed by law;
All revenues generated from ferry fares; and
All revenues generated from commercial advertising, concessions, parking, and leases as allowed under RCW 47.60.140.
Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
Expenditures from the account may be used only for the maintenance, administration, and operation of the Washington state ferry system.
During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the Puget Sound ferry operations account to the Puget Sound capital construction account.
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The department's public transportation division shall establish a green transportation capital grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to aid any transit authority in funding cost-effective capital projects to reduce the carbon intensity of the Washington transportation system, examples of which include: Electrification of vehicle fleets, including battery and fuel cell electric vehicles; modification or replacement of capital facilities in order to facilitate fleet electrification and/or hydrogen refueling; necessary upgrades to electrical transmission and distribution systems; and construction of charging and fueling stations. The department's public transportation division shall identify projects and shall submit a prioritized list of all projects requesting funding to the legislature by December 1st of each even-numbered year.
The department's public transportation division shall select projects based on a competitive process that considers the following criteria:
The cost-effectiveness of the reductions in carbon emissions provided by the project; and
The benefit provided to transitioning the entire state to a transportation system with lower carbon intensity.
During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the department must incorporate principles into the grant selection process with the goal of increasing the distribution of funding to communities based on addressing environmental harms and providing environmental benefits for overburdened communities, as defined in RCW 70A.02.010, and vulnerable populations.
The department's public transportation division must establish an advisory committee to assist in identifying projects under subsection (1) of this section. The advisory committee must include representatives from the department of ecology, the department of commerce, the utilities and transportation commission, and at least one transit authority.
In order to receive green transportation capital grant program funding for a project, a transit authority must provide matching funding at the level deemed appropriate by the department.
The department's public transportation division must report annually to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of any grant projects funded by the program created under this section.
For purposes of this section, "transit authority" means a city transit system under RCW 35.58.2721 or chapter 35.95A RCW, a county public transportation authority under chapter 36.57 RCW, a metropolitan municipal corporation transit system under chapter 36.56 RCW, a public transportation benefit area under chapter 36.57A RCW, an unincorporated transportation benefit area under RCW 36.57.100, a regional transit authority under chapter 81.112 RCW, or any special purpose district formed to operate a public transportation system.
During the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium, the department may provide up to 20 percent of the total green transportation capital grant program funding for zero emissions capital transition planning projects. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, the department may provide up to 10 percent of the total green transportation capital grant program funding for zero emissions capital transition planning projects. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department may only provide funding for green transportation capital grant program projects for zero emissions capital transition planning that were awarded in the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium and have continued expenditures in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
The electric vehicle account is created in the transportation infrastructure account. Proceeds from the principal and interest payments made on loans from the account must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes specified in RCW 47.04.350, 82.08.9999, and 82.12.9999, and the support of other transportation electrification and alternative fuel related purposes, including RCW 47.01.520. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. During the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the electric vehicle account to the move ahead WA flexible account and multimodal transportation account.
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A state highway shall be constructed, altered, repaired, or improved, and improvements located on property acquired for right‑of‑way purposes may be repaired or renovated pending the use of such right‑of‑way for highway purposes, by contract or state forces. The work or portions thereof may be done by state forces when the estimated costs thereof are less than $50,000 and effective July 1, 2005, $60,000.
When delay of performance of such work would jeopardize a state highway or constitute a danger to the traveling public, the work may be done by state forces when the estimated cost thereof is less than $80,000 and effective July 1, 2005, $100,000.
When the department of transportation determines to do the work by state forces, it shall enter a statement upon its records to that effect, stating the reasons therefor.
To enable a larger number of small businesses and veteran, minority, and women contractors to effectively compete for department of transportation contracts, the department may adopt rules providing for bids and award of contracts for the performance of work, or furnishing equipment, materials, supplies, or operating services whenever any work is to be performed and the engineer's estimate indicates the cost of the work would not exceed $80,000 and effective July 1, 2005, $100,000.
The rules adopted under this section:
Shall provide for competitive bids to the extent that competitive sources are available except when delay of performance would jeopardize life or property or inconvenience the traveling public; and
Need not require the furnishing of a bid deposit nor a performance bond, but if a performance bond is not required then progress payments to the contractor may be required to be made based on submittal of paid invoices to substantiate proof that disbursements have been made to laborers, material suppliers, mechanics, and subcontractors from the previous partial payment; and
May establish prequalification standards and procedures as an alternative to those set forth in RCW 47.28.070, but the prequalification standards and procedures under RCW 47.28.070 shall always be sufficient.
The department of transportation shall comply with such goals and rules as may be adopted by the office of minority and women's business enterprises to implement chapter 39.19 RCW with respect to contracts entered into under this chapter. The department may adopt such rules as may be necessary to comply with the rules adopted by the office of minority and women's business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.
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Work for less than $100,000 may be performed on ferry vessels and terminals by state forces. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, work for less than $500,000 may be performed on ferry vessels and terminals by state forces.
When the estimated cost of work to be performed on ferry vessels and terminals is between $100,000 and $200,000, or between $500,000 and $600,000 during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department shall contact, by mail or email, contractors that appear on the department's small works roster as created pursuant to procedures in chapter 39.04 RCW to do specific work the contractors are qualified to do to determine if any contractor is interested and capable of doing the work. If there is a response of interest within 72 hours, the small works roster procedures commence. If no qualified contractors respond with interest and availability to do the work, the department may use its regular contracting procedures. If the secretary determines that the work to be completed is an emergency, procedures governing emergencies apply.
The department shall hire a disinterested, third party to conduct an independent analysis to identify methods of reducing out-of-service times for vessel maintenance, preservation, and improvement projects. The analysis must include options that consider consolidating work while vessels are at shipyards by having state forces perform services traditionally performed at Eagle Harbor at the shipyard and decreasing the allowable time at shipyards. The analysis must also compare the out-of-service vessel times of performing services by state forces versus contracting out those services which in turn must be used to form a recommendation as to what the threshold of work performed on ferry vessels and terminals by state forces should be. This analysis must be presented to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2010.
The department shall develop a proposed ferry vessel maintenance, preservation, and improvement program and present it to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2010. The proposed program must:
Improve the basis for budgeting vessel maintenance, preservation, and improvement costs and for projecting those costs into a 16-year financial plan;
Limit the amount of planned out-of-service time to the greatest extent possible, including options associated with department staff as well as commercial shipyards; and
Be based on the service plan in the capital plan, recognizing that vessel preservation and improvement needs may vary by route.
In developing the proposed ferry vessel maintenance, preservation, and improvement program, the department shall consider the following, related to reducing vessel out-of-service time:
The costs compared to benefits of Eagle Harbor repair and maintenance facility operations options to include staffing costs and benefits in terms of reduced out-of-service time;
The maintenance requirements for on-vessel staff, including the benefits of a systemwide standard;
The costs compared to benefits of staff performing preservation or maintenance work, or both, while the vessel is underway, tied up between sailings, or not deployed;
A review of the department's vessel maintenance, preservation, and improvement program contracting process and contractual requirements;
The costs compared to benefits of allowing for increased costs associated with expedited delivery;
A method for comparing the anticipated out-of-service time of proposed projects and other projects planned during the same construction period;
Coordination with required United States coast guard dry dockings;
A method for comparing how proposed projects relate to the service requirements of the route on which the vessel normally operates; and
ix. A method for evaluating the ongoing maintenance and preservation costs associated with proposed improvement projects.
The department is further directed to conduct such review by soliciting and obtaining expressions from local community groups in order to be properly informed as to problems being experienced within the area served by the Washington state ferries. In order that local representation may be established, the department shall give prior notice of the review to the ferry advisory committees.
The legislative authorities of San Juan, Skagit, Clallam, and Jefferson counties shall each appoint a committee to consist of five members to serve as an advisory committee to the department or its designated representative in such review. The legislative authorities of other counties that contain ferry terminals shall appoint ferry advisory committees consisting of three members for each terminal area in each county, except for Vashon Island, which shall have one committee, and its members shall be appointed by the Vashon/Maury Island community council. If the Vashon/Maury Island community council fails to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the legislative authority of King county shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. At least one person appointed to each ferry advisory committee shall be representative of an established ferry user group or of frequent users of the ferry system. Each member shall reside in the vicinity of the terminal that the advisory committee represents.
The members of the San Juan, Clallam, and Jefferson county ferry advisory committees shall be appointed for four-year terms. The initial terms shall commence on July 1, 1982, and end on June 30, 1986. Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the appointing authority. At least one person appointed to the advisory committee shall be representative of an established ferry-user group or of frequent users of the ferry system, at least one shall be representative of persons or firms using or depending upon the ferry system for commerce, and one member shall be representative of a local government planning body or its staff. Every member shall be a resident of the county upon whose advisory committee he or she sits, and not more than three members shall at the time of their appointment be members of the same major political party.
The members of each terminal area committee shall be appointed for four-year terms. The initial terms of the members of each terminal area committee shall be staggered as follows: All terms shall commence September 1, 1988, with one member's term expiring August 31, 1990, one member's term expiring August 31, 1991, and the remaining member's term expiring August 31, 1992. Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the appointing authority. Not more than two members of any terminal-area committee may be from the same political party at the time of their appointment, and in a county having more than one committee, the overall party representation shall be as nearly equal as possible.
The chairs of the several committees constitute an executive committee of the Washington state ferry users. The executive committee shall meet twice each year with representatives of the marine division of the department to review ferry system issues.
The committees to be appointed by the county legislative authorities shall serve without fee or compensation.
This section has no force or effect during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
The pilotage account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes of the board of pilotage commissioners as prescribed under this chapter and by the utilities and transportation commission for purposes related to pilotage tariff rate setting. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the pilotage account to the multimodal transportation account.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a fund to be known as the highway safety fund to the credit of which must be deposited all moneys directed by law to be deposited therein. This fund must be used for carrying out the provisions of law relating to driver licensing, driver improvement, financial responsibility, cost of furnishing abstracts of driving records and maintaining such case records, and to carry out the purposes set forth in RCW 43.59.010, chapters 46.72 and 46.72A RCW, and RCW 47.04.410. During the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the highway safety fund to the multimodal transportation account and the state patrol highway account. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the highway safety fund to the move ahead WA account and the move ahead WA flexible account.
The capital vessel replacement account is created in the motor vehicle account. All revenues generated from the vessel replacement surcharge under RCW 47.60.315(7) and service fees collected by the department of licensing or county auditor or other agent appointed by the director under RCW 46.17.040, 46.17.050, and 46.17.060 must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the construction or purchase of ferry vessels and to pay the principal and interest on bonds authorized for the construction or purchase of ferry vessels. However, expenditures from the account must first be used to support the construction or purchase, including any applicable financing costs, of a ferry vessel with a carrying capacity of at least 144 cars.
The state treasurer may transfer moneys from the capital vessel replacement account to the transportation 2003 account (nickel account) for debt service on bonds issued for the construction of 144-car class ferry vessels.
The legislature may transfer from the capital vessel replacement account to the connecting Washington account created under RCW 46.68.395 such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the capital vessel replacement account to be used for ferry terminal construction and preservation.
During the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the capital vessel replacement account to the transportation partnership account and the connecting Washington account.
During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys from the capital vessel replacement account to the move ahead WA account.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE SERVICES
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
FOR THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE
FOR THE WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
FOR THE COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION BOARD
FOR THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TOLL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE—PROGRAM B
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—PROGRAM C
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITY MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM D—OPERATING
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT FUND—PROGRAM E
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—AVIATION—PROGRAM F
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM DELIVERY MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM H
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS—PROGRAM K
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE—PROGRAM M
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS—PROGRAM Q—OPERATING
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM S
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, DATA, AND RESEARCH—PROGRAM T
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—CHARGES FROM OTHER AGENCIES—PROGRAM U
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM V
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—MARINE—PROGRAM X
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—RAIL—PROGRAM Y—OPERATING
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z—OPERATING
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITIES—PROGRAM D—(DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION-ONLY PROJECTS)—CAPITAL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—IMPROVEMENTS—PROGRAM I
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PRESERVATION—PROGRAM P
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS—PROGRAM Q—CAPITAL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM W
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—RAIL—PROGRAM Y—CAPITAL
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z—CAPITAL
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALES DISCOUNTS AND DEBT TO BE PAID BY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCOUNT AND TRANSPORTATION FUND REVENUE
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALE EXPENSES AND FISCAL AGENT CHARGES
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—STATE REVENUES FOR DISTRIBUTION
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—TRANSFERS
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING—TRANSFERS
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR DEBT TO BE PAID BY STATUTORILY PRESCRIBED REVENUE
The appropriations to the department of transportation in chapter 472, Laws of 2023, chapter 310, Laws of 2024, and this act must be expended for the programs and in the amounts specified in chapter 472, Laws of 2023, chapter 310, Laws of 2024, and this act. However, after May 1, 2025, unless specifically prohibited, the department may transfer state appropriations for the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium among operating programs after approval by the director of the office of financial management. However, the department shall not transfer state moneys that are provided solely for a specific purpose. The department shall not transfer funds, and the director of the office of financial management shall not approve the transfer, unless the transfer is consistent with the objective of conserving, to the maximum extent possible, the expenditure of state funds and not federal funds. The director of the office of financial management shall notify the appropriate transportation committees of the legislature before approving any allotment modifications or transfers under this section.
The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
An additive omnibus transportation budget of the state is hereby adopted and, subject to the provisions set forth, the several amounts specified, or as much thereof as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes designated in sections 1401 through 1703 of this act, are hereby appropriated from the several accounts and funds named to the designated state agencies and offices for employee compensation and other expenses, for capital projects, and for other specified purposes, including the payment of any final judgments arising out of such activities, for the period ending June 30, 2027.
Except as otherwise provided in sections 1401 through 1703 of this act, it is the intent of the legislature that the funding levels specified in LEAP Transportation Document NL-2025-A as developed March 24, 2025, represents a commitment to provide appropriations to the agencies, programs, and activities at the amounts identified therein through fiscal year 2031.
FOR THE STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the implementation costs associated with chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5801), Laws of 2025 (transportation resources). If chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5801), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this section lapses.
FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$7,300,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the University of Washington's sidewalk inventory and accessibility mapping project to develop a public dataset under an open license and develop the tools needed to publish that data according to an open data specification. The project must include, but is not limited to, utilization of existing data sources, imagery, detailed surveys, and manually collected, detailed data for city streets, county rural and urban local access roads and collectors/arterials, state roads of all types, and roads owned by other entities. The project may draw on partially developed sidewalk data for all state facilities. To the extent practicable, the final product must be suitable for use by the department of transportation, local and regional agencies, tribal governments, and the general public. A project status report is due to the transportation committees of the legislature on December 1st of each year until the work is completed.
$900,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Washington State transportation center to continue the WSDOT-UW professional master's degree fellowship program with 12 fellows, expand department of transportation engineering internships to 20 interns, and to encourage more students to consider careers in transportation, engineering, and related fields.
FOR THE WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$600,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for the commission to purchase telematics data from a qualified vendor that provides anonymized information on vehicle speeds and driver behaviors, such as hard braking, on a statewide basis and in selected geographical areas based upon demographic characteristics and crash history. The commission must provide an annual report summarizing findings from the telematics data to the transportation committees of the legislature beginning by June 30, 2025, and until June 30, 2027.
$2,000,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely to implement a multifaceted approach to supplement existing funding targeted at impaired driving and other enforcement. The areas of emphasis expected to be funded include additional high visibility enforcement and indigenous knowledge-informed tribal traffic safety support. Funding is also provided for the commission to administer and provide oversight of these activities. The commission must provide a preliminary report to the transportation committees of the legislature on these funded activities and any outcome information by December 1, 2025, with a final report due by December 1, 2026.
$1,100,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of the tribal traffic safety coordinator program under chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5374)(including tribal representation in certain transportation activities). If chapter . . ., Laws of 2025 (Substitute Senate Bill No. 5374) is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $2,500,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for a grant program to assist counties and cities with the costs associated with obtaining a new federal highway administration load rating for bridges to accommodate legal loads as authorized under RCW 46.44.041.
FOR THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
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$3,644,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for administrative costs, advertising, outreach, and bonus payments associated with developing and implementing a state trooper expedited recruitment incentive program for the purpose of recruiting and filling vacant trooper positions in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The legislature is committed to continuing the state trooper expedited recruitment incentive program until the vacancy levels are significantly reduced from current levels. The recruitment, advertising, and outreach associated with this program must continue efforts to create a more diverse workforce and must also provide an accelerated pathway for joining the state patrol for high quality individuals who have previously been employed as a general authority peace officer.
The state trooper expedited recruitment incentive program must include:
Thorough hiring procedures to ensure that only the highest quality candidates are selected as cadets and as lateral hires, including extensive review of past law enforcement employment history through extensive reference checks, Brady list identification, and any other issues that may impact the performance, credibility, and integrity of the individual.
An accelerated training program for lateral hires from other agencies that recognizes the knowledge and experience of candidates previously employed in law enforcement; and
A sign-on bonus for each trooper hired through the expedited recruitment incentive program as follows:
(A) $5,000 for each cadet after completion of the Washington state patrol academy;
(B) $5,000 for each successful graduating cadet after completion of a one-year probation period;
(C) $8,000 for each lateral hire after completion of the accelerated training program for lateral hires;
(D) $6,000 for each lateral hire after completion of a one-year probation period; and
(E) $6,000 for each lateral hire after completion of two years of service.
c. The expenditures on the state trooper expedited recruitment incentive program are contingent upon execution of an appropriate memorandum of understanding between the governor or the governor's designee and the exclusive bargaining representative, consistent with the terms of this section.
d. For the purposes of this subsection:
i. "Cadet" means a person employed for the express purpose of receiving the on-the-job training required for attendance at the Washington state patrol academy and for becoming a commissioned trooper.
ii. "Lateral hire" means an eligible employee previously employed as a general authority peace officer.
$1,668,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for accelerated training programs for lateral hires.
$2,178,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely to continue the bonus policy for commissioned staff who reach 26 or more years of service in the Washington state retirement system pursuant to chapter 237, Laws of 2024.
$5,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely to enhance the vehicle replacement cycle for higher mileage vehicles in the agency's fleet.
$5,500,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for updates and improvements to the agency's wide area and local area network systems and for additional information technology staff positions to address increased workload and address backlogs.
$3,500,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for overtime and other costs associated with mitigating negative impacts of staff vacancies on agency operations.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$3,870,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely to implement digital driver's license capability on mobile phones for individuals wishing to have this functionality in addition to the physical standard driver's license. In the first phase, the digital driver's license must be made available by configuring the necessary interfaces with native wallet systems. The amounts provided in this subsection may be used to provide resources to implement an extensive external communications plan regarding the digital driver's license option for drivers.
$2,000,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely to continue the DOL2Go program, bringing driver licensing and identicard services to underrepresented and rural communities.
$464,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department's costs to provide an interagency transfer to the Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth to continue efforts to make driver training education more accessible for deaf and hard of hearing youth in the state.
$300,000 of the highway safety account—state appropriation is provided solely for additional actions in accordance with the recently completed evaluation of ways to implement an older and medically at-risk driver program.
The entire move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the implementation costs associated with chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5801), Laws of 2025 (transportation resources). If chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5801), Laws of 2025 is not enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
The entire driver education safety improvement account—state appropriation is provided solely for implementation of chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5695), Laws of 2025 (young driver safety) or chapter . . . (Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1878), Laws of 2025 (young driver safety). If neither chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 5695), Laws of 2025 or chapter . . . (Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1878), Laws of 2025 are enacted by June 30, 2025, the amount provided in this subsection lapses.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—PROGRAM C
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITY MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM D—OPERATING
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $7,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely to the department for staffing and other actions associated with keeping facility assets in a state of good repair.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT FUND—PROGRAM E
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department's costs related to replacing obsolete transportation equipment and replacing fuel sites. Beginning December 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the department must provide a report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature detailing the current progress on replacing obsolete equipment, progress towards reaching a level purchasing state, and the status of a fuel site replacement prioritization plan. The report must also include:
A list of department-owned and managed fuel sites prioritized by urgency of replacement;
A status report on the installation and use of fuel site infrastructure that can support zero emission vehicles; and
A description of action steps taken in the use of nonappropriated transportation equipment fund resources to maximize the replacement of obsolete equipment and reduce the growing fund balance, including specific modifications to equipment purchasing behavior to increase deployment in the field.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM DELIVERY MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM H
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE—PROGRAM M
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Within amounts provided in this section, the department must work to bring the condition and performance of pavement markings on major corridors into alignment with state and federal targets.
$8,254,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for maintenance and operations activities to help keep people and goods moving during the 2026 World Cup. These activities include, but are not limited to, graffiti and litter removal, encampment mitigation, landscaping, rest area maintenance, roadway cleanup, and incident response team staffing.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRAFFIC OPERATIONS—PROGRAM Q
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$7,811,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for low-cost enhancements. The department shall give priority to low-cost enhancement projects that improve safety or provide congestion relief. By December 15th of each odd-numbered year, the department shall provide a report to the legislature listing all low-cost enhancement projects completed in the prior fiscal biennium.
$5,000,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to address emergent issues related to safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Funds may only be spent after approval from the office of financial management. By December 15th of each odd-numbered year, the department shall provide a report to the legislature listing all emergent issues addressed in the prior fiscal biennium.
$1,050,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for Washington's share of efforts to mitigate collision risk at the Lewis and Clark and Astoria-Megler bridges, including a vessel collision risk assessment, installation of an air gap sensor, and expansion of the virtual coordination center.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT—PROGRAM S
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, DATA, AND RESEARCH—PROGRAM T
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$10,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for Interstate 5 planning consistent with section 219(2) of this act. $1,250,000 of the amounts provided in this subsection is provided solely for an assessment of Interstate 5 on-ramps in the core area of the interstate system from the Pierce county line in Federal Way to state route number 531/Smokey Point boulevard in Arlington to evaluate installing new meters or revising high occupancy vehicle bypasses at existing meters and prioritize locations for ramp meter installations or high occupancy vehicle bypass conversions.
$1,500,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to develop a corridor vision and implementation plan that identifies improvement options to address safety and multimodal mobility needs on the state route number 164 corridor from Dogwood Street East in Auburn to High Point Street in Enumclaw. The department must submit a report to the office of financial management and the transportation committees of the legislature with recommended safety and multimodal infrastructure improvements by June 30, 2027.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM V
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$10,000,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for intercity bus expansion in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The department must report to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management annually on each January 15th with expansion status and performance updates.
$1,225,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for support of Intercity Transit route 14.
$350,000 of the move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Key Peninsula rural transportation program.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—MARINE—PROGRAM X
The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$2,600,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for winter service enhancements in the San Juan Islands. By December 1, 2026, the department must report to the transportation committees of the legislature and the office of financial management impacts of the service increase including, but not limited to, ridership impacts, service reliability, and whether service changes have induced permanent relocation of workforce serving San Juan Island routes.
$11,990,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation and $8,210,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation are provided solely for the department to increase deck and engine positions across the system, prioritizing positions that will mitigate crew related cancellations and reduce overtime expenditures. The department must consider data related to staffing cancellations, as well as current and forecasted staffing levels of deck and engine positions, and mitigation for job classes with the highest overtime costs when adding positions. Funds provided in this subsection are eligible to be used for all deck or engine job classes. The department must include an update on the number of positions hired by job class as part of the annual performance report.
$60,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for support of a United States Coast Guard-compliant basic safety program with Crawford nautical training.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $500,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the U-District Partnership, in coordination with the Lid I-5 North Coalition, the city of Seattle, and United States department of transportation, to conduct a North Seattle I-5 Lid feasibility study.
FOR THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for additional complete streets program grant awards to cities and counties for planning, design, and infrastructure related to making roadways accessible for driving, walking, cycling, transit, and aesthetic qualities.
FOR THE COUNTY ROAD ADMINISTRATION BOARD
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for a new county local road grant program for the preservation and improvement of county local roads that are not currently eligible under existing funding programs.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—FACILITIES—PROGRAM D—(DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION-ONLY PROJECTS)—CAPITAL
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$800,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to improve its ability to keep facility assets in a state of good repair. In using the funds appropriated in this subsection, the department, with periodic reporting to the joint transportation committee, must continue to develop and implement a prioritization of facility capital preservation needs and repair projects.
$3,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to conduct master planning on highest and best use of the Corson Ave regional headquarters property, including options to reduce space and footprint on the property, examining the commercial value of the property if converted to other use or sale of a portion of the property, and reviewing alternative financing methods to fund improvements.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—IMPROVEMENTS—PROGRAM I
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the state highway projects and activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-1 as developed March 24, 2025.
$45,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for Safety Projects (L2021221). These amounts must be held in unallotted status. The legislature intends to provide $700,000,000 over a six-year period for the eligible safety projects identified in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-2 as developed March 24, 2025. The legislature further intends to fund strategies identified pursuant to section 217(10), chapter 310, Laws of 2024, including on direct access ramps. The department of transportation is directed, as part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, to provide recommended aging and phasing for each of the eligible projects consistent with the six transportation policy goals in RCW 47.04.280. The legislature intends that the Airport Drive and Spotted Road Multimodal Improvement Project and the I-5/128th Street Multimodal Connection be added to the LEAP transportation document referenced in this subsection and that the list be updated accordingly.
$50,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for Move Ahead WA Project Completion (L2021222). These amounts must be held in unallotted status. The legislature intends to provide $1,100,000,000 over a six-year period for the eligible move ahead WA completion projects identified in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-2 as developed March 24, 2025, and for the projects identified in LEAP Transportation Document 2022 NL-1 as developed March 9, 2022. The department of transportation is directed, as part of its 2026 supplemental budget submittal, to provide recommended aging and phasing for each of the eligible projects consistent with the six transportation policy goals in RCW 47.04.280.
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$37,322,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the SR 3 Freight Corridor (T30400R) project. The legislature intends to provide a total of $78,910,000 for this project, including an increase of $12,000,000 in future biennia to safeguard against inflation and supply/labor interruptions and ensure that:
The northern terminus remains at Lake Flora Road and the southern terminus at the intersection of state route number 3 and state route number 302; and
Multimodal safety improvements at the southern terminus remain in the project to provide connections to North Mason school district and provide safe routes to schools.
With respect to right-of-way acquisition and the construction of the SR 3 Freight Corridor project (T30400R), tribal consultation with the Suquamish tribe must begin at the earliest stage of planning, including, without limitation, on all funding decisions and funding programs, to provide a government-to-government mechanism for the tribe to evaluate, identify, and expressly notify governmental entities of any potential impacts to tribal cultural resources, archaeological sites, sacred sites, fisheries, or other rights and interests in tribal lands and lands within which the tribe possesses rights reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order. The consultation is independent of, and in addition to, any public participation process required under state law, or by a state agency, including the requirements of Executive Order 21-02 related to archaeological and cultural resources, and regardless of whether the agency receives a request for consultation from the Suquamish tribe. Regularly scheduled tribal consultation meetings with the Suquamish tribe shall continue throughout the duration of any funding or program decisions and proposed project approval.
$30,007,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the SR 3/Gorst Area - Widening project (L4000017).
$7,500,000 of this amount is provided solely for low-cost enhancements that complement the long-term improvement alternatives identified through planning work on the corridor.
Tribal consultation with the Suquamish tribe must begin at the earliest stage of planning, including, without limitation, all funding decisions and funding programs, to provide a government-to-government mechanism for the tribe to evaluate, identify, and expressly notify governmental entities of any potential impacts to tribal cultural resources, archaeological sites, sacred sites, fisheries, or other rights and interests in tribal lands and lands within which the tribe possesses rights reserved or protected by federal treaty, statute, or executive order. The consultation is independent of, and in addition to, any public participation process required under state law, or by a state agency, including the requirements of Executive Order 21-02 related to archaeological and cultural resources, and regardless of whether the agency receives a request for consultation from the Suquamish tribe. Regularly scheduled tribal consultation meetings with the Suquamish tribe must continue throughout the duration of any funding program and proposed project approval.
$373,467,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the US 395 North Spokane Corridor project (M00800R). Of the amounts provided in this subsection, $300,000 is provided solely for an environmental justice assessment to determine if traffic noise abatement will reduce environmental harm to the East Central Neighborhood as a result of this project.
$17,193,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the SR 522/Paradise Lk Rd Interchange & Widening on SR 522 (Design/Engineering) project (NPARADI), specifically for design of, preliminary engineering, and right-of-way acquisition for the interchange and widening as a single project. The department must consider reserving portions of state route number 522, including designated lanes or ramps, for the exclusive or preferential use of public transportation vehicles, privately owned buses, motorcycles, private motor vehicles carrying not less than a specified number of passengers, or private transportation provider vehicles pursuant to RCW 47.52.025.
The move ahead WA account—state appropriation includes up to $975,929,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in section 1, chapter . . ., (Senate Bill No. 5800), Laws of 2025.
It is the intent of the legislature to provide $833,000 in move ahead WA account—state funds in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium and a total of $4,000,000 in move ahead WA account—state funds in the 2029-2031 fiscal biennium for the Rural Roadway Departures Extension project (L2021224) and that the lists referenced in subsection (1) of this section and section 1301(2) of this act be updated accordingly.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PRESERVATION—PROGRAM P
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
$200,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for additional highway preservation (L2021219). $1,626,000 of this amount is provided solely to address emerging needs along Interstate 90 between North Bend and Vantage to help keep people and goods moving during the 2026 World Cup.
$100,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for highway preservation on state highway locations in population centers, including locations within cities subject to RCW 47.24.020, with high safety risks based on the department's vulnerable road user safety assessment prepared as required under federal law (L2021220).
The move ahead WA account—state appropriation includes up to $300,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in section 1, chapter . . ., (Senate Bill No. 5800), Laws of 2025.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—PROGRAM V
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-1 as developed March 24, 2025.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES CONSTRUCTION—PROGRAM W
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The entire move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-1 as developed March 24, 2025.
The move ahead WA account—state appropriation includes up to $40,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in section 1, chapter . . ., (Senate Bill No. 5800), Laws of 2025.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—RAIL—PROGRAM Y
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The entire move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation is provided solely for the activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-1 as developed March 24, 2025.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION—LOCAL PROGRAMS—PROGRAM Z
The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
The entire move ahead WA flexible account—state appropriation and move ahead WA account—state appropriation are provided solely for the activities as listed in LEAP Transportation Document 2025 NL-1 as developed March 24, 2025.
The move ahead WA account—state appropriation includes up to $33,550,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in section 1, chapter . . ., (Senate Bill No. 5800), Laws of 2025.
$1,000,000 of the move ahead WA account—state appropriation is provided solely for the Reducing Rural Roadway Departures Program (L2021122). It is the intent of the legislature to provide $1,500,000 in move ahead WA account—state funds in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium and a total of $6,000,000 in move ahead WA account—state funds in the 2029-2031 fiscal biennium for this project and that the lists referenced in subsection (1) of this section and section 1301(2) of this act be updated accordingly.
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The legislature intends for the following projects to serve as pilot projects for the LINK program: Snohomish River Regional Trail (L2021231), City of Spokane Centennial Trail Connections (L2021232), SR 104 Interurban Trail (L2021233), 6th Ave Rebuild (L2021234), and Heritage Connectivity Trails (L2021235).
Of the amounts provided for the LINK Program (L2021230), up to one percent may be used for staffing and program support.
The appropriations provided in this section may not be used for the North Lewis County Industrial Access project (N400526I). The legislature intends that this project be removed from the LEAP transportation document referenced in subsection (1) of this section, that the project instead be funded in section 311 of this act, and that the LEAP transportation document referenced in section 311(1) of this act be updated accordingly.
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALES DISCOUNTS AND DEBT TO BE PAID BY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCOUNT AND TRANSPORTATION FUND REVENUE
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALE EXPENSES AND FISCAL AGENT CHARGES
FOR THE STATE TREASURER—ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFERS
transfer to the Move Ahead WA Account—State$1,000,000
transfer to the Move Ahead WA Flexible
Account—State$61,500,000
Appropriation: For transfer to the Move Ahead WA
Account—State$10,763,000
transfer to the Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge
Account—State$26,000,000
If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.