Committee advances a package of companion transportation bills to Rules Committee

During an executive session the Senate Transportation Committee moved and voted to advance a group of companion and engrossed bills to the Rules Committee with due‑pass recommendations. The motions were typically moved by a vice chair and carried by voice vote. The bills advanced included:

- Substitute House Bill 2334: adjusts cash transaction totals to eliminate the need for pennies; staff cited a Department of Licensing fiscal estimate of $186,000 for IT work and the committee adopted a striking amendment before advancing the bill.

- House Bill 2604: permits non‑motorized electronic signatures to effect transfers of vehicle ownership to insurers (no fiscal impact reported by staff) and was advanced.

- Substitute House Joint Memorial 4001: requests naming the 34th Avenue East overpass in Fife the Russ Blunt Memorial Bridge (no fiscal impact); advanced.

- Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1980 (BAT Lanes): authorizes private employer transportation services to use Business Access and Transit lanes in qualifying counties with transit provider approval; advanced.

- House Bill 2436: establishes a minimum tug horsepower threshold for escorting oil‑laden tankers in restricted waters; advanced.

- Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2192: designates the Traffic Safety Commission as a public health authority for traffic safety improvement and authorized fatality review committees; advanced.

- Substitute House Bill 2467: authorizes fifth wheel travel trailers up to 46 feet; advanced.

- Substitute Senate Bill 6354 (transportation electrification and dealer documentary fee): committee adopted amendment S5679.1 modifying distribution percentages and advanced the bill as amended; staff described measures to fund instant rebates for low‑income used EV purchases and compliance provisions.

- Substitute House Bill 2109: requires towing vehicles carrying debris to be cleaned or covered (with a reusable‑cover amendment); staff noted roughly $70,000 in State Patrol training costs; amendment adopted and bill advanced.

Most motions carried by voice vote; the transcript records individual senators noting they would vote no on particular items (for example Senator McKeown said she would vote no on advancing HB 2334 and Senator King said he would vote no on an amendment to HB 2109) but the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally by name for each vote. Committee minutes indicate advancement was “subject to signature.”