PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 17742025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifying allowable terms for the lease of unused highway land.

Sponsored By: Jake Fey (Democratic)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Funding help for community lease costs

If a lessee cannot reasonably cover leasing-process costs, the department may use funds that were specifically set aside for those costs. When those funds are not available, the department must ask the Legislature for the money in the next session to finish the lease process.

Legislative sign-off for nonprofit leases

A lease with a community-based nonprofit must be sent to the Legislature with the department’s budget and approved in a transportation appropriations act. Short “temporary use” leases of five years or less, including renewals, do not need that approval.

Approved community uses and safety limits

Community uses now include housing and related services; shelter programs like emergency, transitional, and supportive housing; safe spaces such as tiny home and pallet home villages; parks, plazas, and recreation; salmon habitat work; and public transportation uses. The department cannot lease state highway right-of-way for housing or shelter programs, or where a lease would endanger infrastructure or travelers.

New rules for community leases on highway land

The Washington Department of Transportation can count social, environmental, or economic benefits toward rent for community-purpose leases. Adequate payment includes doing the community work and keeping the site maintained and secure, and the department can require extra payment if needed. When using this method, the department reviews who benefits (especially overburdened communities), how broad the public gain is, whether the land could earn rent, and the lessee’s record and finances. Leases must limit use to the approved purpose, include remedies if that stops, follow federal land protections, and require insurance and indemnification.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jake Fey

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Dan Bronoske

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Paul

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Springer

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Melanie Morgan

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 76

House vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 67 • No: 30 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 19 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 70 • No: 27 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/17/2025House

  2. Chapter 298, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 67; nays, 30; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/22/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    4/15/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/11/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/8/2025House

  16. TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025House

  17. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    3/6/2025House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 70; nays, 27; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/4/2025House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2025House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/4/2025House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/20/2025House

  24. Minority; do not pass.

    2/20/2025House

  25. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in