Transcript Highlights:

• plan plan is looking at between 1.1 and 1.6 with the most likely of 1.2 to the value that we would receive
• and our safety and security management plan.
• And of course, the ever-important communication plan within our program management plan, how we'll communicate
• And of course, the ever-important communication plan within our program management plan, how we'll communicate
• local MPOs, Metro, and the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, amending their plans

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The committee met jointly with the Washington-Oregon Legislative Action Committee for an update on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. Members first adopted the proposed committee rules, then received program updates from staff on environmental review, permitting, design, tribal consultation, and public engagement. Staff said the project remains in the supplemental EIS process, with a final supplemental EIS and amended record of decision expected in early 2026, which would allow construction to begin. They also described ongoing work on Coast Guard navigation clearance, Section 106 historic-property coordination, and architectural guidelines for the bridge and five-mile corridor, emphasizing that the visualizations shown were conceptual and that public and partner feedback has already influenced design considerations such as accessibility and shared-use path connections. Members raised concerns about schedule delays, rising costs, and whether the project is being designed to be functional, safe, and economical. Staff acknowledged that the timeline has slipped from earlier expectations and said the delay reflects the complexity of the environmental and federal review process, as well as the need to avoid redoing steps. They said the updated cost estimate is being prepared now that design has advanced to roughly 30 percent, and that it will account for inflation, risk factors, and both fixed-span and movable-span options. Staff estimated a movable span would add more than $400 million and said the first construction work after environmental approval would likely be preliminary freeway and retaining-wall work in late 2026, followed by the bridge procurement. The committee also received funding and tolling updates. Staff reported that major federal grants have been executed, including Mega and Bridge Investment Grant agreements, and that state STIP amendments are advancing to allow access to federal funds. The tolling team described Level 3 traffic-and-revenue work, a bi-state tolling subcommittee process, and possible toll scenarios aimed at supporting either about $1.24 billion or $1.6 billion in toll revenue. Members questioned low-income toll relief timing, truck toll rates, and the effect of tolls on freight users. Staff said low-income discounts are being analyzed for both revenue and operational feasibility, that tribal exemptions and other policy exemptions are under review, and that the commissions expect to move into public outreach on toll rates and policies in 2026, with tolling on the existing bridges currently projected to begin in spring 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan.
• are reasonable and not incompatible with the state's transportation plan or with the local government
• entity's comprehensive plan.
• are reasonable and not incompatible with the state's transportation plan or with the local government
• entity's comprehensive plan.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 with a quorum present and approved the September 10, 2025 minutes. The main item was the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including reliability issues with the aging Cameron No. 2 vessel, limited backup capacity, and staffing challenges. They also reviewed the competitive solicitation process that followed Labmar’s unsolicited proposal, noting that Labmar was the only proposer and that local entities, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury and Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District, had no objection to the concept. Staff and counsel outlined the statutory public-purpose factors the board had to consider and described the scope of a potential agreement, which would cover vessel operations, maintenance, facilities, communications, dry docking, and emergency response. Board members praised DOTD staff and the Cameron ferry workers for their long service and emphasized the need for more reliable service and better contingency planning. Senator Abraham asked procedural questions about the unsolicited proposal and the solicitation process. The board first voted that the privatization proposal would serve a public purpose, then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement; both motions passed without objection. The meeting also covered next steps. DOTD said negotiations would continue through spring and early summer, with a possible transition to Labmar in late summer 2026 if an agreement and funding are secured. Staff reported that two new hybrid ferries, the Holly Beach and the Cameron, are expected in May and August 2026, and that temporary docking and site improvements are underway. A feasibility study for terminal expansion estimated costs between $30 million and $50 million, with permitting and design likely taking at least a year and a half to two years. Members discussed the need for a multi-year funding plan, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• January 15th, me and the Transportation Committee, we have four bills.
• transportation projects in communities throughout the state.
• industries, including one member representing non-motorized transportation.
• planning organizations.
• The Yakima area is planning a multimodal facility.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard briefings and public testimony on four bills. HB 1823, a Transportation Improvement Board cleanup bill, would remove obsolete references, update terms, and repeal outdated sections; a proposed substitute would restore remaining bond authority that the original bill would have inadvertently removed. The sponsor and TIB supported the technical corrections, describing the bill as good-government cleanup, and there were no questions or opposition. HB 2092 would create a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to provide regular user feedback to WSDOT; the bill was presented with a fiscal note of about $82,000 this biennium and $156,000 ongoing for staffing. The prime sponsor and multiple advocates supported the concept, while committee members and witnesses raised possible amendments to broaden membership, include disability representation, and possibly add rail industry and statewide passenger rail interests. HB 2111 would allow the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to retain its share of interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund. The sponsor, the Treasurer’s Office, and a business community witness said the change would keep dedicated toll-related revenue with the project and avoid accounting and tax concerns; the bill was described as a technical fix with fiscal impact expected to benefit the project account. HB 2114 would require the Department of Licensing to waive replacement plate fees for defective plates within two years of issuance and allow waivers between two and five years in some cases. The sponsor said the bill responds to widespread plate delamination, especially in eastern Washington, and county auditors and subagents testified in support as a customer-service measure, though they noted the fiscal note seemed high relative to the small number of replacements estimated and asked for clearer definitions and implementation guidance. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chair closed public hearings on HB 1823, HB 2092, and HB 2111 after testimony, and temporarily closed HB 2114 to allow a later opportunity for a witness who had audio issues to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• community is going to benefit from the plan.
• community is going to benefit from the plan.
• We have a whole new plan called Fifth Avenue Forward.
• Our participation in our Transportation Management Center—ours is the Spokane Regional Transportation
• The Joint Transportation Committee is adjourned.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation Secretary.
• The 2025-2026 governor's budget for transportation maintains the entirety of the transportation package
• In addition to maintaining the transportation package, this transportation budget includes two general
• It was planned across multiple years for transportation programs, which historically had been funded
• Significant issue with transportation or do you feel like we're pretty solid in terms of transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I know the current plan was put together very quickly, dealing with the issue of transportation
• It makes it difficult to plan for plan.
• . transport. transport.
• . transports. transports.
• > law</c> transported requests transport by law transported requests transport by law enforcement

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Transportation Committee.
• And so we do that through our EV Council work plan.
• , as well as transportation projects like SAF.
• In way of background, the Transportation Improvement Board administers grants for transportation projects
• , and other transportation-related industries, including one member representing non-motorized transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on electric vehicles, renewable fuels, hydrogen, and related transportation investments, followed by public hearings on several bills. Agency presenters from WSDOT, Commerce, and Ecology described the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council’s work, Washington’s slowing EV adoption growth, charging infrastructure gaps, and programs such as NEVI, ZEVIP, and a new medium- and heavy-duty incentive program. Members asked about fast-charging standards and whether higher-capacity chargers could be supported. Commerce also outlined renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel efforts, including the Office of Renewable Fuels, hydrogen and SAF modeling, technical assistance, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator’s partnerships and funding. WSDOT then discussed hydrogen investments in transit, aviation, backup power, and corridor planning, while Ecology explained the alternative jet fuel programmatic environmental impact statement, its scope, timeline, and how it will support future project review. In the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2114, the committee heard testimony supporting a no-fee replacement process for defective license plates within two years of issuance, with optional fee waivers later; the sponsor and county auditors said peeling or unreadable plates are a real customer-service problem, especially in eastern Washington. The hearing on House Bill 2111 concerned allowing the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project toll facility bond retirement account to keep its interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund; the prime sponsor said it is a straightforward fix requested by the state treasurer. Substitute House Bill 1823 would update Transportation Improvement Board statutes by replacing “non-motorized” with “active transportation” and removing obsolete references; TIB said it is a cleanup bill that aligns statutes with current grant practices and complete streets policy. The committee also heard House Bill 2495, which would let the City of Seattle direct immediate impoundment of unattended vehicles blocking streetcar operations, similar to existing authority for Sound Transit. Seattle’s streetcar manager said blocked tracks cause frequent delays and that the bill would reduce waits for police authorization and restore service faster. Public testimony and sign-in counts were noted for each bill, but no votes were taken in the transcript, and the meeting concluded after the final public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:04.880><c> to</c> state and its communities plan to state and its communities plan to address
• </c><00:04:17.440><c> and</c> 2030 plan that we had this 2030 plan and 2030 plan that we had this 2030
• Who will develop the plan and policies that ensure that transportation, health care, housing, and opportunities
• </c><00:20:47.559><c> um</c> make sure that when we're planning um make sure that when we're planning
• </c> more mixed housing and planned more mixed housing and planned developments<00:21:26.360><c> that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the circular plans that times, especially when it comes to general plans and the circular plans
• This is the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure.
• transportation projects.
• This has really established a new paradigm for planning, developing, and funding transportation projects
• transportation programs.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and public safety bills, largely focused on traffic violence, e-bike regulation, and DUI enforcement. AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers drew support from the author, San Francisco officials, law enforcement, and the League of California Cities, who said the bill would close loopholes, add motorcycles and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and align penalties with speed contests. ACLU California Action opposed it, but members generally supported the bill, noting the need for stronger tools against dangerous takeovers. The committee also heard AB 1654 on commercial driver’s licenses and federal verification rules, with the author arguing California must comply with federal law to avoid losing CDL authority; the chair and others objected that the bill could wrongly affect U.S. citizens and codify changing federal rules. The bill was discussed but not advanced in the portion provided. AB 1976 sought to speed delivery of bicycle and pedestrian safety projects by limiting some public meetings, restricting cancellation of contracts without findings, lowering petition thresholds for traffic calming, and updating the Pedestrian Mall Act. Supporters said current procedures delay life-saving projects and give too much power to opponents, while counties and cities opposed the limits on local public input and budget authority. After discussion, the committee voted to send AB 1976 to Local Government, with several members expressing support but also concerns about preserving community participation. The committee also heard AB 2015, which would direct Caltrans to study the effects of navigation apps on local roads and safety. Supporters said apps can divert traffic onto residential streets and undermine local traffic calming, while members suggested the bill should also consider built-in vehicle navigation systems. AB 2168, on the Active Transportation Program, would update the definition of safe routes to transit, prioritize transit-rich and underserved areas, and add stronger spending accountability; it drew support from bicycle and transit advocates and some local agencies, with a few technical concerns left to resolve. Finally, AB 1942 on e-bike registration and license plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes drew strong support from law enforcement and medical witnesses citing rising injuries, but broad opposition from bicycle groups, micromobility advocates, and some local governments who said it would burden lawful riders, create DMV problems, and not address illegal e-motos. The committee also heard AB 1685 and AB 1687, both DUI-related bills from the same author: AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and AB 1687 would extend license revocation for a third DUI conviction to eight years with an interlock option after four years. Both bills received strong support from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, with ACLU California Action opposing them as duplicative or overly punitive; both bills were advanced by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.800><c> as</c> to the Department of Transportation as to the Department of Transportation
• relates to the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan.
• relates to the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan.
• :39:49.400><c> there's</c><00:39:49.560><c> a</c> Transportation plan um and so there's a Transportation
• It is the last of the LRT projects planned for the Twin Cities since the 1970s to transport a lot of

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The funding plan of the bonding package.
• And Representative, that's our plan.
• The New Mexico transportation system Has experienced funding shortages from recurring transportation
• Transportation revenues.
• recurring transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• qualified health plans for reference-based pricing.
• We asked them to develop a plan, bring...
• We asked them to develop a plan, bring it back to us, and the legislature will consider the plan that
• ... funding in the transportation fund.
• And you... ...in the transportation fund.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill concerns certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation
• Department of Transportation.
• It’s not a transportation luxury, but a resilience asset. It’s a transportation office.” Thank you.
• master planning process with the Thurston Regional Planning Council.
• Hornblower's Ferries and Transportation Division Hornblower's Ferries and Transportation Division safely

Summary: The committee first held an executive session on several transportation measures heard earlier in the session, including bills on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, vehicle title transfers to insurers, a memorial bridge naming, BAT lane access for private employer transportation services, oil tanker escort requirements, Traffic Safety Commission authority, fifth-wheel trailer length, electric vehicle sales and funding, and vehicle loads on public highways. Most of the measures were advanced with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and the committee adopted amendments on the penny-rounding bill, the EV funding bill, and the vehicle-loads bill. Members noted some opposition or reservations on a few items, including the penny-rounding proposal and the vehicle-loads amendment, but the motions carried. The committee then returned to public hearing on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2323 would create a blue envelope program for neurodiverse drivers to help communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops; the Department of Licensing and State Patrol fiscal notes were described, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2588 would expand county ferry district authority to include vehicle ferries and require voter approval for new taxes after the effective date; testimony was mixed, with Whatcom County officials and ferry users supporting the bill as a funding tool, while one opponent criticized the tax and timing provisions. The committee also heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2172, which would change the route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment process for state highways by requiring agreements or legislative review for longer abandonments or bridge transfers; cities, counties, the Transportation Commission, and the TIB supported the bill as a more transparent process. Additional public hearings covered Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations for drivers who bypass emergency road closures; a defense-lawyer witness opposed the mandatory license suspension, while the sponsor described the bill as a response to flood and fire rescues. Substitute House Bill 2410 would create a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and raise the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32 per vehicle; the trucking industry and business groups supported it as a safety and training investment. The committee also heard a staff briefing and sponsor testimony on Second Substitute House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand passenger-only ferry district options and was presented as a local tool to improve ferry access and relieve Washington State Ferries congestion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling the February 23rd meeting of the House Transportation Committee to order.
• Transportation policy is land use policy.
• Chair Fey, Ranking Member Barkis, members of the Transportation Committee. I'm Michael Shaw.
• Just by way of background, this bill concerns transportation resources and is a follow-up to the Transportation
• gives the Transportation Commission the authority to exempt transit buses from tolls.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held public hearings on a proposed substitute for House Bill 2306, the 2026 transportation supplemental budget, and on proposed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill. Staff described HB 2306 as revising the enacted 2025-27 transportation budget, increasing spending by about $1.1 billion to $16.5 billion, largely through reappropriations and new funding for preservation, maintenance, rail, transit, active transportation, ferries, licensing, and State Patrol needs. The chair and ranking member emphasized caution because of downward revenue forecasts, uncertainty around major project bids and future fish passage costs, and the decision to use existing bond authority without new bonding. Public testimony on HB 2306 generally supported preservation, maintenance, rail improvements, dredging, transit access, and local safety projects, while some witnesses urged more support for EV incentives and long-term transportation funding stability. For HB 2711, staff explained that the bill responds to administrative issues in last year’s transportation resources law, including fuel tax inflation adjustments, luxury vehicle/aircraft/vessel taxes, the indigent tow reimbursement program, tire fee language, and other tax administration provisions. The proposed substitute would repeal the luxury aircraft tax, adjust peer-to-peer rental car tax administration, restore authority for the Transportation Commission to exempt transit buses from tolls, waive certain penalties and interest tied to early compliance with the luxury vehicle tax, allow lease payments to be taxed incrementally, add exemptions for tribal members and nonresidents, change transfer timing between accounts, and create a Preserve Washington Account for highway preservation and maintenance. Fiscal notes projected additional revenue from aligning use tax with sales tax and modest administrative costs, while delaying the tow reimbursement program reduced near-term expenditures. Testimony on HB 2711 was mixed. RV dealers asked for a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, arguing the industry is already in decline and the tax could push sales out of state. WFSE supported the new Preserve Washington Account and urged higher bid limits for highway maintenance work. Committee members asked for clarification on the peer-to-peer rental car tax and the transit bus toll exemption. The chair announced that executive session on the bills, along with one other measure, would occur Wednesday, and members were told to submit amendment requests by the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Transportation Committee. Secretary, please take a silent roll.
• Scott Stokes, Director of the Idaho Transportation Department.
• TECM stands for Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation.
• And as we plan for growth and how to do transportation solutions, we cannot do that work in isolation
• I'm going to be talking to you today about transportation funding.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides the State Transportation Commission with the authority to issue up to $1.5 billion in transportation
• It left House Transportation with some...
• Our Transportation Commissioner is Ms.
• That's in the planning years right now.
• and our TPF, our transportation project plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• plan.
• plan.
• Two, the transportation facility and the proposed interconnections with existing transportation...
• are reasonable, not incompatible with the state's transportation plan or with the local government entity's
• comprehensive plan.

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities. The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated. Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• for this plan.
• </c> be moved to the transportation building. be moved to the transportation building.
• </c> renovating the transportation building. renovating the transportation building.
• And the governor has uh $50... infrastructure plan. And with that, I infrastructure plan.
• bill out of the transportation bill out of the transportation<01:00:12.160><c> committee.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we see it first as a transportation option.
• and planning with the City of Cambridge.
• I am a past select board member, and Natick was Director of Transportation Planning for the City of Newton
• I'm also an entrepreneur who works in transportation consulting and planning, supporting cities, universities
• Throughout this planning process, there was concern expressed in the creation of this plan about confusion

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act (S 3077), a micromobility bill based on recommendations from last year’s Special Commission on Micromobility. Administration witnesses from MassDOT and the MBTA said the bill is needed because current laws are outdated and inconsistent, and they emphasized a new speed-based framework that would classify devices by maximum speed rather than by device name. They said the bill would set statewide rules, clarify enforcement, require safety equipment and age limits, restrict unsafe modifications, improve crash-data collection, and create a working group to address future issues such as registration, licensure, insurance, and emerging technologies. Committee members asked about crash reporting, battery safety, enforcement on shared-use paths, commuter rail access, and how the bill would apply to off-road vehicles. Several witnesses and legislators supported the bill’s general approach but raised concerns about whether the speed tiers should be tied more directly to actual operating speed on paths, whether higher-speed devices should be registered, and how police would distinguish between similar-looking devices. Representative and commission witnesses also urged more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets and Spaces, and some suggested adding default speed limits on shared-use paths and automated enforcement tools. Public testimony was mixed. Pediatric emergency physicians strongly supported the bill but urged amendments for a minimum age to operate powered devices and a universal helmet requirement, citing rising severe injuries and deaths among children. A police chief and other safety advocates backed clearer rules and better data collection, while some moped riders objected that the bill would treat low-speed gas mopeds too harshly and should better account for mopeds as vulnerable road users. UL Standards and AAA supported the bill’s safety and clarity goals, with UL recommending tighter language on battery certification and equivalent standards. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Permittees must submit a pedestrian access safety plan for any work...
• , and detailed in the HSIP implementation plan.
• , including electric transportation.
• Substitute House Bill 2374 including electric transportation.
• I'm the director of transportation and sustainability for the city of Spokane.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all