HB 1377
In CommitteeHouse
Ferry system emergency decl.
Declaring the ferry system to be in a state of emergency to authorize expedient actions.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
If the state fails to award a contract for a new hybrid electric ferry by spring 2025, this bill allows the governor to declare a ferry procurement emergency and quickly buy at least two nonhybrid electric ferries within two years. It also relaxes procurement rules, allows use of existing ferry designs, and delays or modifies planned hybrid conversions to avoid service disruptions.
- Authorizes the governor to declare a ferry procurement emergency if the spring 2025 bid for a new hybrid electric ferry fails, enabling expedited acquisition of at least two nonhybrid electric ferries with a two-year delivery goal.
- Allows use of the existing Olympic-class vessel design (or another compatible design) to avoid delays from new design work and ensure compatibility with current ferry terminals.
- Permits the Department of Transportation to skip or delay conversion of the second and third Jumbo Mark II vessels to hybrid electric to avoid service disruptions or to advance mid-life maintenance on one to get a functional ferry faster.
- Amends procurement rules to allow emergency contracts for new vessels, bypassing standard bidding requirements, and expands use of competitive sealed proposals (rather than low-bid) for equipment like propulsion systems—requiring life-cycle cost analysis for engines.
- Repeals the existing vessel and terminal electrification program (RCW 47.60.838) and supersedes conflicting executive orders or procurement rules in RCW 47.60.826.
- Requires warranty work on emergency-purchased vessels to be performed in Washington State where practicable and maintains a 13% bid preference for vessels built in-state.
Who is affected
- Puget Sound island and coastal communities — Residents of island and remote communities who rely on ferries as their primary or only transportation link to mainland services like healthcare, education, and employment.
- Washington State Ferries employees — Ferry employees, including drivers, maintenance staff, and customer service personnel, who may face changes in work conditions, vessel assignments, or union contracts due to procurement shifts.
- Maritime construction industry — Shipbuilders and maritime contractors in Washington and elsewhere who may compete for emergency procurement contracts or lose future work due to changes in procurement strategy.
- Public agencies and emergency services — State and local governments that depend on ferries to transport emergency responders, school groups, and public services across Puget Sound.
- General ferry riders and commuters — Ferry riders—including commuters, tourists, and commercial trucking—whose travel times, costs, and reliability may change depending on the type and timing of new vessels.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Emergency procurement pathway to acquire two nonhybrid electric ferries within two years addresses urgent service gaps—critical for island and remote communities whose only reliable access to healthcare, education, and jobs depends on ferry service reliability.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1), Sec. 2(3)Allowing mid-life maintenance of a Jumbo Mark II vessel to be advanced instead of converting it to hybrid electric provides a faster path to restoring one fully functional ferry—helping mitigate current service disruptions that disproportionately impact commuters and emergency responders.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(4)Using existing Olympic-class design and permitting competitive sealed proposals for propulsion systems may reduce procurement time and cost, supporting local maritime contractors and suppliers who can deliver faster than new-design competitors—benefiting small- and mid-sized Washington shipyards.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(e)(iii), Sec. 2(2)Requiring life-cycle cost analysis for propulsion systems and allowing evaluation beyond low price (e.g., reliability, maintainability, local service support) may improve long-term value and support local service networks—benefiting maintenance workers and local vendors.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(b), Sec. 3(c)(vii)Accelerating ferry procurement helps stabilize access to mainland services for island residents—some of whom face housing affordability challenges due to isolation and limited alternatives—by reducing commute times and increasing regional mobility options.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)
Potential Concerns (5)
Relaxing standard procurement rules and allowing emergency contracts for vessel acquisition may reduce competitive oversight, increasing risk of cost overruns, delays, or substandard vessel quality—potentially compromising vessel safety if rushed procurement bypasses standard engineering reviews.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2(5)Postponing or skipping hybrid conversion of the second and third Jumbo Mark II vessels delays decarbonization of the ferry fleet, increasing long-term emissions and fossil fuel dependence—hurting public health and climate goals, especially for frontline communities near ferry terminals.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(4)Shifting procurement from hybrid electric to nonhybrid electric vessels (e.g., conventional diesel-electric) may increase long-term fuel and maintenance costs, which could be passed to riders through fare increases—hurting low-income and fixed-income commuters most.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1), Sec. 7(1)(a)While the 13% in-state build preference remains, shifting to nonhybrid designs may reduce opportunities for Washington shipyards with hybrid-electric expertise, potentially limiting high-skill, high-wage maritime jobs in the state over time.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2), Sec. 7(2)(b)(ii)Emergency procurement authority may reduce transparency and public input in procurement decisions, weakening accountability and potentially undermining trust in state agency decision-making—especially for communities already skeptical of ferry system management.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2(1), Sec. 3(e)(iii)
Who Is Most Affected
Island and coastal residents benefit significantly from faster ferry delivery—especially those with limited transportation alternatives. However, if the new vessels are less reliable or delayed, they face the greatest risk of lost access to essential services.
Ferry workers may benefit from faster vessel delivery (reducing service instability) and in-state build preferences, but could face job uncertainty if hybrid conversion is delayed or canceled—especially those trained on hybrid systems.
Washington-based shipbuilders benefit from the 13% in-state preference and use of existing designs, but may lose future work if hybrid-electric procurement is abandoned long-term. Out-of-state builders may gain if nonhybrid vessels are sourced elsewhere.
Emergency services benefit from faster vessel availability during crises, but may face long-term challenges if fleet modernization stalls—reducing fuel efficiency and emissions reductions that support public health.
Commuters and riders gain from faster service restoration, but may face higher fares if nonhybrid vessels have higher operating costs. Low-income riders are most vulnerable to fare hikes and service instability.