Transportation Committee advances seven measures to Rules Committee, including crash-prevention zones and pedestrian-access bill

The Transportation Committee met Feb. 9, 2026, in executive session and voted to advance seven measures to the Rules Committee, the chair announced at the close of the meeting. Committee members approved due-pass recommendations on bills addressing crash-prevention zones, traffic-safety data access, pedestrian access during construction, a memorial for the Fairfax Bridge, cash-transaction rounding, towing standards, and the State Transportation Commission’s responsibilities.

Brandon Popovac, staff to the committee, summarized competing proposed second substitutes for Senate Bill 6,066, which would authorize local jurisdictions and the Washington State Department of Transportation to establish “crash prevention zones” on roads with clusters of serious collisions. Popovac said one version (S-4756.1) clarifies enforcement coordination and prescribes a $73 additional penalty for certain speeding or collision-related infractions to be deposited into a zone account. The version the committee advanced (S-4840.2) authorizes zones on I-395 between Pasco and Mesa through Jan. 1, 2029, allows local jurisdictions to use traffic-safety cameras with penalties up to $290 (after camera administrative costs), and creates a double penalty for unlawful use of a personal electronic device in a zone. "I move proposed second substitute Senate Bill 6,066 S-4840.2," Vice Chair Levick said; the motion carried by voice vote.

On substitute Senate Bill 6,131, Popovac described a proposal designating the Washington Traffic Safety Commission as a public-health authority for limited traffic-safety data purposes and authorizing a fatality-review committee that could review motor-vehicle deaths. Committee members adopted amendments (including S-4874.1) that limit collection and require protections for confidential information, and the assembly voted to roll the adopted amendments into the substitute and advance it with a due-pass recommendation to Rules.

Clint McCarthy summarized substitute Senate Bill 6,311, which would require permittees to maintain continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction within 300 feet of hospitals, parks and schools and prohibit sidewalk closures in those zones unless a safe temporary route is infeasible. After withdrawing an earlier proposed substitute and moving S-4807.2, the committee advanced the bill to Rules.

Senate Joint Memorial 8016, seeking congressional action to treat the closure and replacement of the Fairfax Bridge as an emergency and to shift some environmental reviews to expedite replacement, was advanced with a due-pass recommendation after committee staff outlined the substitute’s request to allow concurrent or post-construction NEPA and Endangered Species Act reviews.

Brian Moore told the committee Senate Bill 6,230 would round cash transactions to the nearest $0.05 after all taxes and discounts and that the Department of Licensing’s one-time fiscal impact was estimated at $186,000. The bill includes amendments to allow customers to pay exact legal tender to avoid rounding and to permit state and local agencies to round when pennies are unavailable. The committee advanced the bill to Rules.

Kelly Simpson briefed the committee on Senate Bill 6,032, which would require towed vehicles with mud, rocks or debris to be covered or cleaned; an amendment by Senator Lovett would require reusable covers if drivers choose to cover vehicles. The committee advanced the substitute to Rules.

Simpson also summarized substitute Senate Bill 6,335, which revises the responsibilities of the State Transportation Commission, restores its ability to propose policies for a comprehensive statewide transportation system, allows the commission to serve as a voting member on the Puget Sound Regional Council, adds 10 nonvoting members representing local government interests, and transfers some planning responsibilities to the Department of Transportation with a four-year update cadence. The committee advanced the substitute to Rules by voice vote.

A brief caucus occurred midmeeting; the committee returned to executive session to consider motions and voice votes. Chair Elias thanked committee staff, including Kelly Simpson and Haley Gamble, for their work before adjourning. The committee advanced each listed substitute or bill with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee subject to signature; voice votes were used and no roll-call tallies with individual member votes were recorded in the transcript.