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WashingtonSB 60662025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Establishing accident risk zones.

Sponsored By: Nikki Torres (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Camera money goes to street safety

Cities and counties may spend camera money only on traffic‑safety work and camera program costs. If a city or county (10,000+ people) uses camera money for safety, it must send at least a fair share to the lowest‑income neighborhoods and high‑injury areas. Smaller places must follow guidance that uses the health disparities map to plan projects. For cameras used in crash zones, leftover revenue goes to the zone’s local account for studies, signs, and fixes. For cameras first used after June 6, 2024, 25% of net revenue starts going to the state active‑transportation safety account four years after each camera is installed. Beginning January 1, 2026, local programs must post yearly reports with crashes, tickets, and how money is spent; starting July 1, 2026, the state posts a yearly statewide report. Programs that existed before January 1, 2024 may keep their prior revenue rules and add only a small number of new camera locations.

New crash prevention zones and fixes

The law creates Crash Prevention Zones to fix dangerous road segments. Until January 1, 2029, cities and counties may zone three listed segments on US‑395 and SR‑12. Starting January 1, 2029, any city, county, town, or the state DOT may create zones using five‑year serious‑crash methods from the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, with DOT approval to include state roads. A public hearing and an engineering and traffic study are required, and agencies may lower speeds and coordinate extra enforcement. Each zone gets a local account to pay for studies, signs, and safety fixes, and the zone ends when the work is done. DOT can zone state highways on its own. Materials used to set or end a zone are not allowed as evidence in civil lawsuits. Automated speed cameras may enforce speed inside zones.

Fair notice and privacy for cameras

Camera locations must be clearly signed at least 30 days before activation. A notice must be mailed within 14 days and include photos; you can respond by mail. Cameras may only capture the vehicle and plate, not faces, and images are kept only for enforcement. City and county staff are the only ones who may use the images, and they are not public. Vendors cannot be paid from ticket revenue, and if contracts lack image standards, locals must audit vendors every three years. Local ordinances must state the camera rules and be posted online. Before adding or moving a camera, lawmakers must do a location study that shows need and checks equity impacts.

Rental car rules for camera tickets

When a rental car is the registered owner, the agency must send written notice before issuing a camera ticket. The rental company has 18 days to name the driver, report the car as stolen with a police report, or pay. A timely reply removes the company’s liability for that notice.

Higher distracted‑driving fines in zones

If you use a personal electronic device inside a crash prevention zone, the base fine is doubled. Courts cannot waive, reduce, or suspend the total penalty. For violations in DOT‑created zones, half of the money goes to the highway safety fund for zone studies, signs, and safety work.

Camera fine caps and low‑income relief

The maximum fine for a camera ticket is $145. The state adjusts that cap for inflation every five years starting January 1, 2029. Tickets from school speed zones or crash prevention zones may be doubled. Camera tickets are processed like parking tickets and do not go on a driving record. If you get public assistance under Title 74 or you are in Washington WIC, you can apply to get half off the first fine and any others issued within 21 days. A city or county may also use an online tool to decide requests to lower a fine based on ability to pay.

Where camera enforcement is allowed

Cameras are not allowed on on‑ramps to limited‑access roads. A city may use cameras on state highways that are classified as city streets and must notify the state DOT when it installs one.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nikki Torres

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Wilson

    Republican • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 188 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/6/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 94 • No: 2 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 46 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/20/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 123, 2026 Laws.

    3/20/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/20/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/10/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026Senate

  10. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/6/2026Senate

  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/2/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026Senate

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

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    2/19/2026Senate

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/17/2026Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/17/2026Senate

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/17/2026Senate

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/17/2026Senate

  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2026Senate

  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/9/2026Senate

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026Senate

  24. TRAN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/9/2026Senate

  25. Referred to Transportation.

    1/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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