House adopts conference report, passes transportation bill with 69-26-3 vote

The Washington State House of Representatives adopted the conference committee report and gave final passage to Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, a transportation package that floor managers described as focused on preservation, maintenance and critical ferry investments.

Representative Fye, speaking in favor of the conference report, said the measure keeps the state "staying the course with our highway improvement program" and stressed a three-biennium commitment to preservation and maintenance, noting funding for communities hurt by flooding (Representative Fye). Representative Barkis acknowledged compromises made during negotiations and said some members would cast mixed votes given additional bonding in the package (Representative Barkis).

The House opened and closed the roll-call in accordance with standard procedure; the Clerk reported 69 yeas, 26 nays, and 3 excused. Having received a constitutional majority, the bill "as recommended by the conference committee" was declared passed and, with the consent of the House, immediately transmitted.

The floor remarks centered on maintaining previously committed highway projects, advancing ferry vessel procurement and providing reimbursements to local governments for storm and flood repairs. No amendments were recorded on the floor during the final-passage sequence in the transcript.