Unions Back Bill to Remove Sunset on Limits to Public Funding of Port Automation; Industry Urges Caution

The committee heard Senate Bill 5995, which would remove a 2031 sunset on a 2021 law that authorized port districts to use public funds to buy zero- and near-zero-emission cargo-handling equipment while prohibiting purchase of fully automated equipment using public funds.

Sponsor (identified in the transcript as Senator Salman) described the bill as a one-sentence change that would simply remove the sunset clause to protect family-wage port jobs from being replaced with automation paid for by taxpayers.

Union witnesses argued strongly in favor. Dan McKissen, president of the ILWU Washington Area District Council, said taxpayer dollars should not underwrite automation that eliminates jobs and urged the committee to "support SB 5,995, eliminate the sunset clause, make sure Washington's taxpayers aren't underwriting automation and eliminating jobs from communities across the state." Sarah Esch (ILWU Local 19), Keesa Sten (Local 52), Megan Mason (Local 23), Dan Tuohig (Masters, Mates & Pilots), and others emphasized safety concerns, the high cost of fully automated equipment, and the unions' support for electrification and zero-emission human-operated equipment.

Industry representatives opposed the measure or urged caution. Scott Hazelgrove of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association said cargo volumes have declined over two decades and that removing public-fund flexibility could be premature, arguing competitiveness concerns should be studied before making the policy permanent.

Testimony made clear the bill targets the use of public dollars; private operators would remain free to deploy automation with private funds. The committee recorded testimony but did not take a vote in the transcript.