House Transportation Committee reports PSHB 2306 out of committee with technical fixes and Metro electrification shift

The House Transportation Committee on Feb. 25 voted to report proposed substitute House Bill 2306, a supplemental appropriations measure for the 2025–27 biennium, out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

Vice Chair Donaghy moved the bill as amended after the committee adopted a series of changes, including Mun896 (technical corrections) and THOC175, which the sponsor said shifts electrification funding to King County Metro’s central campus. "This is a small amendment to help King County Metro better spend their funds in the budget," Representative Reed said, urging members to support a move that focuses resources on a project described as more ready to proceed.

The bill also included an amendment (MYES42) to advance funding into the current biennium to help a near‑complete City of Kent construction project; Representative Entenmann said advancing the timeline would be "very helpful in our community," but Representative Barkas urged a no vote on fiscal‑constraint grounds and the amendment failed.

Committee members emphasized investments in ferry service, preservation and maintenance. Representative Paul said the bill creates a work group to plan future ferry vessel funding, warning of risks from aging vessels. The staff briefing also noted an $11,000,000 increase in the Move Ahead Washington account for the current biennium tied to one amendment.

The chair called an oral vote on the amended substitute; the clerk announced 28 ayes, 0 nays, 1 excused, 0 absent. By that vote, PSHB 2306 was moved out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

The committee recessed for scheduling and then proceeded to other bills; next steps include committee transmittal and possible floor action according to the legislature’s amendment deadlines.