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WashingtonHB 14182025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Adding two voting members that are transit users to the governing body of public transportation benefit areas.

Sponsored By: Joe Timmons (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Transit riders can gain voting seats

Beginning January 1, 2026, elected members of Washington public transportation benefit area boards can appoint two additional voting members. Both must use transit, and neither can work for the transit agency. One must primarily rely on transit. The other must represent a community group and use transit at least occasionally. If no qualified group representative is available, the second member must also primarily rely on transit. Appointments raise maximum board sizes from 9 to 11 for single-county areas and 15 to 17 for multicounty areas. With these appointments, meetings must be reasonably accessible by transit. Appointees must promptly receive training on open meetings, public records, and ethics for municipal officials. These rules do not apply to boards that retain citizen seats from a former transit system.

Transit board pay limits track inflation

Washington adjusts transit board compensation dollar limits for inflation every five years, beginning January 1, 2024. The Office of Financial Management uses changes in the annual average Washington consumer price index for wage earners and clerical workers. The index must include all items. If several indexes qualify, the office uses the Washington-only index covering the most people. New limits must reach the code reviser for State Register publication at least one month before taking effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Timmons

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brandy Donaghy

    Democratic • House

  • Davina Duerr

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 162 • No: 78

House vote • 4/19/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 62 • No: 33 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 36 • No: 12 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 64 • No: 33 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 1/1/2026.

    5/12/2025House

  2. Chapter 230, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/19/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/19/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 36; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/16/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/16/2025House

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

    4/16/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/15/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/7/2025House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/4/2025House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/4/2025House

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

    4/4/2025House

  17. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    3/7/2025House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 64; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

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

    2/28/2025House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/11/2025House

  23. Minority; do not pass.

    2/6/2025House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/6/2025House

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

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

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