PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 25882025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning county ferry district authority.

Sponsored By: Joe Timmons (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: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Ferry district property taxes and votes

A ferry district can levy up to $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. In counties with 1,500,000 or more people, the cap is $0.075 per $1,000. New districts cannot go above $0.10 per $1,000 without voter approval, unless they are in those very large counties. Your bill depends on your property’s assessed value and the rate your district sets.

10-mile ferry limit, waivers, exceptions

No new ferry crossings or bridges may operate within 10 airline miles of a state‑run crossing or toll bridge; existing lawful franchises may continue. A certificated or applicant commercial operator can petition the utilities commission for a waiver; there is notice and a hearing, a decision within 90 days, and any waiver lasts five years and becomes permanent unless appealed within 30 days. Passenger‑only ferries run by eligible public transportation benefit areas or by ferry districts are exempt from the 10‑mile rule. The transportation department must not infringe a lawful franchise unless it first acquires those rights.

How county ferry districts operate

A county may create a ferry district countywide after a public hearing and a written public‑interest finding. The district is a municipal and taxing district, run by the county’s lawmakers, and only district residents vote on its matters. It can build, buy, run, and maintain ferries and wharves, set tolls or free service, and hire staff and sign contracts. Levy money can only fund boats, docks, operations, maintenance, shuttles to terminals, related landside work, and staff. The district may borrow with general obligation bonds if the creation ordinance says so and sets a maximum; an unpaid 5‑member advisory committee is required, with three frequent riders.

Rules for Vashon–Seattle passenger ferry

A qualifying county must get the governor’s approval to assume the Vashon–Seattle passenger‑only route. It must file a complete business plan with the governor and legislature by November 1, 2007. The district must run the service itself, honor existing labor agreements, and start no later than July 1, 2008. If it expands to Southworth, it must sign an interlocal agreement within 30 days of starting Southworth service.

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

  • Joe Timmons

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 159 • No: 76

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 56 • No: 40 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 17 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 73 • No: 19 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 187, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 56; nays, 40; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/11/2026House

  7. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  8. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/6/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  13. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026House

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

    3/2/2026House

  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    2/17/2026House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 73; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 6.

    2/13/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026House

  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/13/2026House

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

    2/11/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026House

  24. Minority; do not pass.

    2/9/2026House

  25. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/9/2026House

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