SB 5710
In CommitteeSenate
Diesel vessels/state ferries
Addressing diesel vessel procurement at the Washington state ferries.
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 allows the Washington State Department of Transportation to quickly acquire new clean diesel ferry vessels to replace the aging Issaquah class, using flexible procurement methods and incentives for in-state construction. It also delays hybrid conversions of two existing vessels until the first conversion is proven effective, and strengthens oversight of ferry procurement through third-party experts and compliance requirements.
- Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation to acquire clean diesel ferry vessels to replace the Issaquah class, using a flexible procurement approach (e.g., design-build, design-bid-build, or lease-with-option-to-buy) to speed delivery.
- Exempts these new diesel ferry contracts from certain standard procurement rules (RCW 47.60.810–824) to allow faster acquisition.
- Grants a 13% bid price credit (adjusted for in-state construction share) to vessels built in Washington, based on a 2016 state study of economic losses from out-of-state construction.
- Permits the department to delay conversion of the second and third Jumbo Mark II vessels to hybrid electric until the first conversion is proven effective, to avoid service disruptions.
- Requires third-party experts to provide oversight and semiannual reports on hybrid ferry projects, and mandates compliance with apprenticeship, small business, and environmental regulations for contractors.
Who is affected
- Washington state shipbuilders and maritime construction industry — The state will gain a 13% bid credit for vessels built in Washington, supporting local shipbuilders and the state economy.
- Washington state ferry riders and commuters — Ferry riders and commuters may benefit from faster delivery of new vessels and improved reliability as the state delays hybrid conversions until proven effective.
- Washington State Department of Transportation and legislature — State agencies and the legislature gain more flexible procurement tools and oversight mechanisms to manage complex vessel acquisitions.
- Vessel construction contractors and suppliers — Federal and state contractors must meet apprenticeship, small business, and environmental compliance requirements when bidding on ferry contracts.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The 13% bid credit for in-state construction directly benefits Washington-based shipbuilders and maritime workers by improving competitiveness of local bids — this is a targeted economic development tool that supports local jobs and supply chains, especially for mid-sized shipyards that may otherwise lose bids to out-of-state firms.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(c)Lease-with-option-to-buy procurement flexibility may reduce upfront capital outlays, preserving state liquidity for other infrastructure needs — while not directly housing-related, this improves fiscal flexibility that can indirectly support housing investments by avoiding budget strain.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)(iii)Delaying hybrid conversion of the second and third Jumbo Mark II vessels until the first is proven effective prioritizes service reliability and reduces risk of operational failure during transition — this protects commuters from potential service disruptions and safety incidents from untested technology.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)Mandating compliance with apprenticeship and water pollution control laws ensures that new ferry contracts support workforce development and environmental standards — while these are baseline requirements, they reinforce equitable labor practices and ecological responsibility in a major public works program.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 5(2)(e)–(f)Third-party oversight and semiannual reporting improve transparency and accountability for complex ferry procurement projects, helping prevent cost overruns and schedule delays — this strengthens legislative and public oversight, especially after past ferry procurement challenges.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 5(5)
Potential Concerns (5)
Exemption from standard procurement rules (RCW 47.60.810–824) for new clean diesel ferry contracts may reduce transparency and competitive rigor, potentially increasing risk of cost overruns or suboptimal contract terms due to less standardized oversight.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)Delaying hybrid conversion of the second and third Jumbo Mark II vessels until the first conversion is proven effective reduces risk of premature deployment of unproven technology, but may prolong reliance on older, less efficient vessels with higher emissions and maintenance issues.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(3)Expanded use of competitive sealed proposals (RFPs) for vessel and equipment procurement increases flexibility but introduces subjectivity in evaluation criteria, potentially increasing legal challenges or perceived favoritism if not carefully managed.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 2(2)(c)The 13% bid credit for in-state construction is tied to a 2016 state study and may not reflect current market conditions or actual cost differentials, risking overpayment if the credit exceeds real economic losses — though this is unlikely to directly harm everyday Washingtonians, it could strain state budgets indirectly.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 5(2)(d)Mandating third-party oversight for hybrid ferry projects adds administrative complexity and cost, with no cap on such contracts; while intended to improve accountability, this could divert funds from core ferry operations or maintenance if not carefully budgeted.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 5(5)
Who Is Most Affected
Local shipbuilders (e.g., Vigor Industrial, Peterson Marine) benefit from the 13% in-state bid credit, improving their competitiveness against out-of-state yards. However, the credit is only applied to vessels built in Washington, so smaller yards with limited capacity may still lose out to larger domestic or foreign competitors.
Commuters benefit from faster delivery of clean diesel replacements for the Issaquah class and reduced risk of hybrid conversion failures. However, if procurement delays occur due to legal challenges or oversight requirements, benefits may be delayed.
WSDOT gains procurement flexibility and oversight tools, improving ability to manage complex vessel acquisitions. However, expanded RFP authority and exemption from standard procurement rules increase discretion, which could lead to less competitive outcomes if not monitored.
Contractors (especially in-state) benefit from the 13% credit and compliance requirements that favor local hiring and small business participation. However, federal and state compliance burdens (apprenticeship, DBE, pollution control) increase administrative costs, especially for small firms.