SHB 2306
In CommitteeHouse
Transportation budget, supp.
Making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
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
This bill appropriates approximately $2.9 billion for transportation operations and capital projects in Washington State for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It significantly increases funding for clean transportation initiatives—including electric vehicle infrastructure, zero-emission vehicles, and sustainable aviation fuel—and expands support for public transit, ferry system modernization, and local infrastructure. The bill also includes targeted investments to address workforce shortages, equity, and safety issues such as encampments and bridge strikes.
- Increases funding for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Account to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure grants, zero-emission vehicle voucher programs, hydrogen refueling stations, and sustainable aviation fuel initiatives.
- Provides $12 million for a federal fund exchange pilot program allowing states to swap federal transportation funds for state funds at a 95:100 ratio.
- Allocates $1.2 billion for Washington State Ferries capital projects, including new hybrid electric vessels, terminal electrification, and modernization of ticketing systems.
- Expands funding for public transportation, including $10 million for enhanced World Cup services and $189 million for transit support grants.
- Provides $25 million for a point-of-sale voucher program to accelerate adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, with equity-focused incentives.
- Authorizes $21 million for a new county local road grant program to preserve and improve county roads not currently eligible under existing funding programs.
- Includes funding for homeless encampment mitigation along state highways, totaling over $12 million, with partnerships involving local governments and social service providers.
- Directs the Department of Transportation to conduct a long-term tolling feasibility assessment and study the impacts of California’s ocean-going vessel emissions rules in Washington.
- Provides $10 million for a federal fund exchange pilot program allowing states to swap federal transportation funds for state funds at a 95:100 ratio.
- Includes provisions to improve workforce diversity in transportation construction and expand apprenticeship and internship programs for underrepresented groups.
Who is affected
- Tribal governments and members — Federally recognized tribes, tribal enterprises, and tribal members are eligible to apply for grants to purchase or convert fishing vessels to electric motors.
- State employees — State employees working in remote job sites (e.g., mountain passes) may access subsidized vanpools or other modal alternatives to reach job sites.
- Public transit agencies — Public transportation agencies (e.g., King County Metro, Community Transit, RiverCities Transit) receive funding to expand or enhance services, especially in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
- Local governments — Local governments (e.g., cities, counties) receive funding for bridge load rating grants, sidewalk programs, and homeless encampment mitigation efforts along state highways.
- Low- and moderate-income residents — Low- and moderate-income individuals and families benefit from e-bike rebates, e-bike lending libraries, and support for obtaining driver’s licenses and transportation services.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Allocates $2.61 million to enhance the state patrol's diversity, equity, and inclusion program, community engagement program to improve relationships with historically underrepresented communities, and contracting with an external psychologist to perform exams. This directly benefits historically marginalized communities by improving trust and representation in law enforcement.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(6)Provides $7.552 million for the work zone speed safety camera pilot program, which improves safety for workers and drivers in work zones. This benefits everyday Washingtonians by reducing speeding in high-risk areas and decreasing work zone crashes.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(7)(a)Funds one additional trooper basic training class with troopers graduating in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and initiates funding for an additional class in the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium. This directly benefits public safety by increasing the number of state troopers on the road.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(10)Allocates $800,000 for increased chain enforcement on Interstate 90 around Snoqualmie Pass, which improves winter travel safety for commuters and commercial vehicles. This benefits everyday Washingtonians who rely on this corridor for travel and commerce.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(13)Provides $9.3 million for updates and improvements to the agency's wide area and local area network, which enhances data security and operational efficiency. While this benefits the agency, the direct impact on everyday Washingtonians is modest.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 207(16)
Potential Concerns (5)
Reduces state patrol staffing capacity by allowing use of funds for employee leave buyouts, increased contracting, and overtime to address emergent issues from high commissioned and noncommissioned vacancies. This undermines long-term workforce stability and could increase response times and reduce traffic enforcement capacity across the state.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(14)Diverts $3 million to hiring additional staff, overtime, contracting, and equipment for the toxicology laboratory to reduce DUI processing backlog, but this is reactive rather than preventive. It does not address root causes of DUI processing delays (e.g., staffing shortages, systemic inefficiencies) and may not significantly reduce processing times without broader reforms.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(15)Creates a state trooper expedited recruitment incentive program with sign-on bonuses up to $8,000 for lateral hires, but the program's design prioritizes speed over thorough background checks and may compromise quality control. The requirement for extensive reference checks and Brady list identification is offset by accelerated pathways that could admit lower-quality candidates.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 207(18)(a)Includes a $6,000 sign-on bonus for lateral hires after two years of service, which benefits state employees but does not directly benefit businesses or the private sector.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 207(18)(b)(E)Provides a $8,000 sign-on bonus for lateral hires after completion of the accelerated training program, which benefits state employees but does not directly benefit businesses or the private sector.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 207(18)(b)(C)
Who Is Most Affected
Tribal governments and members benefit from a $4.92 million tribal electric boat grant program (Sec. 102(1)) and $2 million specifically for federally recognized tribal governments (Sec. 102(4)(ii)). This supports clean transportation and economic development in tribal communities.
State employees benefit from a $1.124 million statewide vanpool benefit (Sec. 220(3)) and access to subsidized vanpools or modal alternatives for remote job sites. This improves commute affordability and accessibility for state workers.
Public transit agencies receive $189.3 million in transit support grants (Sec. 220(7)), $9 million for enhanced World Cup services (Sec. 220(10)), and $10 million for King County Metro as part of a federal funds exchange pilot (Sec. 220(11)). This significantly expands service capacity and prepares for major events.
Local governments benefit from $2.5 million in bridge load rating grants (Sec. 202(2)), $12 million for homeless encampment mitigation (Sec. 215(4)), and $21 million for a new county local road grant program (Sec. 301). This addresses infrastructure and public health needs.
Low- and moderate-income residents benefit from e-bike rebates (up to $1,200 for households at or below 80% AMI) (Sec. 311(9)(a)(i)), e-bike lending libraries (Sec. 311(9)(b)), and driver's license support services (Sec. 208(1)). This improves mobility and access to transportation.