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WashingtonSB 58202025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan.

Sponsored By: Adrian Cortes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Small border counties gain freight development options

Beginning June 11, 2026, qualifying Washington counties can allow development that depends on freight rail on farm, forest, and mineral lands. Those lands must be next to short line railroads. The county must border both the Cascade mountains and another country and have fewer than 50,000 people. Cities within qualifying counties have the same authority. The law allows local governments to change development rules; it does not require development.

Large border counties lose freight planning powers

Beginning June 11, 2026, certain Washington counties and their cities lose specific freight rail planning powers. This applies to counties west of the Cascade crest with at least 400,000 people and a border touching another state. They lose authority to include freight-dependent uses next to short line railroads in the transportation part of their comprehensive plans. They also lose authority to change development rules for freight-dependent uses on rural lands that do not need urban government services. This limits local planning options, not household duties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adrian Cortes

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 84 • No: 58

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 54 • No: 39 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 30 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/30/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 247, 2026 Laws.

    3/30/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/30/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/9/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/23/2026Senate

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/20/2026Senate

  12. Minority; do not pass.

    2/20/2026Senate

  13. LG - Majority; do pass.

    2/20/2026Senate

  14. LG - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/20/2026Senate

  15. First reading, referred to Local Government.

    2/12/2026Senate

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/10/2026Senate

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026Senate

  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/4/2026Senate

  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/30/2026Senate

  20. Minority; do not pass.

    1/29/2026Senate

  21. LGV - Majority; do pass.

    1/29/2026Senate

  22. First reading, referred to Local Government.

    1/12/2026Senate

  23. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/1/2025Senate

Bill Text

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