PRIA Logo™
WashingtonSB 63092025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Providing for enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects.

Sponsored By: Marko Liias (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More flexible rules for transit facilities

Beginning June 11, 2026, local governments and regional transit authorities can agree on different development standards for transit facilities. These agreements cannot change rules for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Authorities can also build rail facilities above local height limits or beyond required setbacks. They must follow other local development rules where practical, considering the need to build and operate the system.

Transit authorities can seek permits earlier

Beginning June 11, 2026, regional transit authorities can apply for land-use and construction permits before acquiring the property. They can also seek construction and technical permits before the local land-use decision, with proof of owner notice when applying. Local governments must accept otherwise complete building permit applications, even without ownership or possession and use of the property. Governments covered by state planning requirements must also accept otherwise complete project permit applications without those property interests. Local governments can issue land-use, construction, or technical permits before ownership, but work still requires property rights or owner permission.

Fewer land division steps for transit

Beginning June 11, 2026, certain transit land acquisitions are exempt from state subdivision rules. The exemption covers land divisions caused by a regional transit authority acquiring part of an existing lot for transit facilities. The interim rule expires January 1, 2028, when a matching permanent exemption takes effect. The permanent exemption does not waive zoning, permits, environmental rules, disability access, or public health and safety requirements.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 74

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 56 • No: 38 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 31 • No: 17 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*.

    3/23/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 166, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/10/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    3/4/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/2/2026Senate

  13. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    2/25/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. LG - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/25/2026Senate

  18. First reading, referred to Local Government.

    2/17/2026Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/13/2026Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026Senate

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/13/2026Senate

  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2026Senate

  23. WM - Majority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/9/2026Senate

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation