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WashingtonSB 60662025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Establishing accident risk zones.

Sponsored By: Nikki Torres (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

New crash prevention zones on Washington roads

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington counties, cities, and towns can create crash prevention zones on limited highway sections. These are U.S. Highway 395, mileposts 23–32; State Route 12, Tank Farm Road–A Street; and State Route 12, Attalia East Road–Nine Mile Canyon Road. These initial zones expire January 1, 2029, unless ended earlier. Beginning that date, local governments and the state transportation department can designate other qualifying public roads. Serious or fatal crashes over the previous five years must exceed expectations for similar roads, using Highway Safety Manual methods. Local governments must hold a public hearing and invite the state transportation department's regional administrator to comment. Counties need city or town approval for roads inside those communities; local zones need state approval for state-managed roads. The state transportation department can designate state highways without local approval. Zones must end once safety improvements are complete.

Zone safety studies get dedicated local funding

Beginning June 11, 2026, each government creating a crash prevention zone must study possible safety improvements, including speed-limit changes. State and local police must coordinate increased enforcement when practical and within existing resources. The state transportation department can use speed-reduction methods and technology. Each county, city, or town creating a zone must maintain a separate account for it. Zone camera revenue first pays camera program costs, including installation, operation, maintenance, and processing tickets. Money left goes into the zone's account and can fund only traffic and engineering studies, signs, and safety improvements there.

Rental car businesses gain ticket-response options

Rental car businesses can pay an applicable traffic penalty instead of identifying the vehicle operator. Before issuing a camera ticket to a rental business, the agency must give it 18 days to respond. A business stating that the car was stolen when the violation occurred must include a copy of a filed police report. Mailing the required statement on time relieves the business of liability for that notice.

Doubled device-use penalties for crash-zone drivers

Beginning June 11, 2026, drivers cited for illegal personal-device use in a crash prevention zone pay twice the base penalty. The full penalty, including added assessments, cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended. For zones created by the state transportation department, 50% of money collected goes to the Highway Safety Fund. That share can pay only for engineering and traffic studies, signs, and safety improvements within the zone.

Drivers face camera fines in crash zones

Beginning June 11, 2026, cities and counties can use traffic cameras to detect speeding in crash prevention zones. Camera speeding fines in these zones can be doubled. The ordinary base fine cap is $145, but authorized doubling allows zone fines to exceed that cap. The cap is adjusted for inflation every five years beginning January 1, 2029. The actual fine depends on the penalty set and whether doubling is applied.

Crash-zone evidence barred from civil cases

Beginning June 11, 2026, parties in civil cases cannot use crash prevention zone decisions as evidence. The ban covers designating, creating, investigating, or ending a zone. It also covers materials prepared or used to create or manage the zone.

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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