Title 47 — Title 47 PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Adaptive management" means a systematic process for continually improving management policies and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programs.(2) "…

The department is authorized to acquire by lease, charter, contract, purchase, condemnation, or construction, and partly by any or all of such means, and to thereafter operate, improve, and extend, a system of ferries on and crossing Puget Sound and any of its tributary waters an…

The governor is authorized to take such actions as may be necessary to insure the continued operation of the Puget Sound ferry and toll bridge system under any emergency circumstances which threaten the continued operation of the system. In the event of such an emergency, the gov…

The department is authorized to operate its ferry system under the name: "Washington State Ferries."[ 1984 c 7 s 297; 1961 c 13 s 47.60.015. Prior: 1953 c 33 s 1.]

The legislature finds and declares that the state ferry system is a public mass transportation system.[ 1974 ex.s. c 105 s 1.]

For the purpose of carrying out any or all of the powers granted in this chapter, the department has the power of eminent domain for the acquisition of either real or personal property, used or useful for the Puget Sound ferry system. Condemnation pursuant to this chapter shall b…

In any case where the department takes over any property or properties which are under lease, contract, or concession, or where the department has heretofore entered into any contract or negotiation or received any bid for any of the purposes set forth in this chapter, the depart…

For the purpose of obtaining information for the consideration of the department upon the acquisition of any ferries or ferry facilities or the construction of any toll bridge under this chapter, the department shall make any examination, investigation, survey, or reconnaissance …

Any facility that the department acquires or is authorized to acquire under the provisions of this chapter may be rehabilitated, rebuilt, enlarged, or improved, and the cost thereof may be paid from the revenues of the system or through the issuance of bonds as hereinafter provid…

For the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring by lease, charter, contract, purchase, condemnation, or construction all or any part of such Puget Sound ferry system, including toll bridges, approaches, and roadways incidental thereto, and for rehabilitating, rebuilding, enlargin…

In determining the amount of bonds required to be issued there may be included any expenses incurred by the department in connection with and incidental to the issuance and sale of bonds and for the preparation of surveys and estimates and making inspections and examinations, int…

All bonds issued under or by authority of this chapter shall be sold to the highest and best bidder after such advertising for bids as the department deems proper. However, the department may reject any and all bids so submitted and thereafter sell such bonds so advertised under …

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, bonds issued by the authority shall be legal investments by the state investment board of any state moneys in its hands, except permanent school funds and motor vehicle funds.[ 1981 c 3 s 40; 1961 c 13 s 47.60.100. Prior: 1953 c 154…

The holder of any bond or the trustee for any bonds designated by resolution may by mandamus or other appropriate proceeding require and compel performance of any duties imposed upon any state department, official or employee, including any duties imposed upon or undertaken by th…

The department is authorized to refund, at the maturity thereof, or before the maturity thereof if they are subject to call prior to maturity or if all of the holders thereof consent thereto, upon such terms and conditions as it deems best, any or all of its revenue bonds now or …

Any refunding bonds authorized by this chapter constitute obligations of the department only and not of the state of Washington. They shall be payable solely out of all or such part of the revenues derived from the operation of the toll bridge, toll road, toll tunnel, ferry syste…

The bonds herein authorized shall, in the discretion of the department, be exchanged at the best possible price for the bonds being refunded, or any such bonds not exchanged shall be sold in the manner provided in RCW 47.60.090. The bonds herein authorized shall be issued in acco…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2588.SL) ***(1) If the department acquires or constructs, maintains, and operates any ferry crossings upon or toll bridges over Puget Sound or any of its tributary or connecting waters, there shall not be constructed, operated, or maintained any other …

For the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing ferries or ferry terminal facilities, and all costs which may be incurred in connection therewith, the department is authorized to issue interim revenue warrants, which shall constitute obligations o…

If it is deemed advisable or found necessary to redeem any or all of such warrants, the department is authorized to issue its revenue refunding bonds for that purpose. The bonds shall constitute obligations only of the department, and shall not be obligations of the state of Wash…

All provisions of chapter 47.60 RCW pertaining and applicable to the revenue bonds of the department authorized in that chapter are applicable to the warrants and revenue refunding bonds authorized herein except insofar as otherwise provided by RCW 47.60.122 through 47.60.126.[ 1…

Such ferry system, including any toll bridges, approaches, and roadways incidental thereto, may be financed and operated in combination or separately as one or more units as the department of transportation may determine, and such ferry system together with any toll bridge hereaf…

(1) The charter use of Washington State Ferry vessels when established route operations and normal user requirements are not disrupted is permissible. In establishing chartering agreements, Washington State Ferries shall consider the special needs of local communities and interes…

(1) The department is empowered to operate such ferry system, including all operations, whether intrastate or international, upon any route or routes, and toll bridges as a revenue-producing and self-liquidating undertaking. The department has full charge of the construction, reh…

(1) An "historic ferry" is any vessel in the Washington state ferries fleet which has been listed in the Washington state register of historic places.(2) When the department of transportation determines that an historic ferry is surplus to the needs of Washington state ferries, t…

Nothing in *RCW 47.60.150 forbids the establishment by the department of a Washington state ferries revolving fund of not to exceed six hundred thousand dollars from the proceeds of any bonds sold under the provisions of this chapter. The fund may be deposited by the department i…

Any consent to liability given under the provisions of this chapter creates liability of the department only and does not create any general liability of the state.[ 1984 c 7 s 314; 1961 c 13 s 47.60.200. Prior: 1951 c 259 s 5.]

The state consents to suits against the department by seamen for injuries occurring upon vessels of the department in accordance with the provisions of section 688, title 46, of the United States code. The venue of such actions may be in the superior court for Thurston county or …

The department has all the obligations, duties, and rights of a common carrier of persons and property in its operation of ferries, terminals, or other facilities used in its ferry operations, including the right to participate in joint rates and through routes, agreements, and d…

In case of property loss or damage or personal injuries or death resulting from the operation of any ferry or terminal by the department, any person or the personal representative of any person, subject to and to the extent hereinafter provided, has a right of action against the …

The right of action extended by this chapter is applicable to loss or damage of property and/or personal injury or death resulting from the operation of ferries or terminals by the department to persons other than shippers or passengers, but any recovery of damages in such cases …

As a condition to a recovery thereon, a verified claim against the department growing out of such damages, loss, injuries, or death must first be presented to the department and filed with the secretary within one hundred twenty days after the time when the claim accrued. If the …

The department may upon such terms and conditions as it may impose and under such rules as it may adopt, pay claims arising under its operation of ferries or terminals or compromise or settle the claims. No claim may be paid by the department or any settlement or compromise of it…

Actions for the recovery of damages under RCW 47.60.220 through 47.60.260 may be brought in Thurston county or in the county in which the aggrieved person resides. No execution upon a judgment or attachment may be levied against the property of the department, nor does the state …

Law enforcement officers of cities, towns, and counties which are served by state ferries shall have, and are hereby authorized to exercise, concurrent jurisdiction and authority with state law enforcement officers in the enforcement of laws of the state and local governmental di…

The department is authorized and directed to establish and operate a ferry service from a suitable point on Lummi Island in Whatcom county to a suitable point on Orcas Island in San Juan county by the most feasible route if and when Whatcom county constructs a bridge from Goosebe…

The department is authorized to operate a ferry service between Port Townsend and Keystone on Admiralty Inlet if the certificate of convenience and necessity for the ferry operation is theretofore surrendered, rights thereunder are abandoned, and the ferry service is discontinued…

The purpose of RCW 47.60.282 and 47.60.283 is to provide service on the ferry route between Port Townsend and Keystone to be determined by the department. Operation of this route is necessary for the economic health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state. Additionally, s…

(1) The commission shall, with the involvement of the department, conduct a survey to gather data on ferry users to help inform level of service, operational, pricing, planning, and investment decisions. The survey must include, but is not limited to:(a) Recreational use;(b) Walk…

(1) The department shall annually review fares and pricing policies applicable to the operation of the Washington state ferries.(2) Beginning in 2008, the department shall develop fare and pricing policy proposals that must:(a) Recognize that each travel shed is unique, and might…

The review shall include but not be limited to tariffs for automobiles, passengers, trucks, commutation rates, and volume discounts. The review shall give proper consideration to time of travel, distance of travel, operating costs, maintenance and repair expenses, and the resulta…

(1) The department is further directed to conduct such review by soliciting and obtaining expressions from local community groups in order to be properly informed as to problems being experienced within the area served by the Washington state ferries. In order that local represen…

(1) The commission shall adopt fares and pricing policies by rule, under chapter 34.05 RCW, according to the following schedule:(a) Each year the department shall provide the commission a report of its review of fares and pricing policies, with recommendations for the revision of…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6005-S.SL) ***(1) The capital vessel replacement account is created in the motor vehicle account [fund]. All revenues generated from the vessel replacement surcharges under RCW 47.60.315 (7) and (8), and service fees collected by the department of lice…

(1) The department shall develop, and the commission shall review, operational strategies to ensure that existing assets are fully utilized and to guide future investment decisions. These operational strategies must, at a minimum:(a) Recognize that each travel shed is unique and …

(1) Before a substantial change to the service levels provided to ferry users, the department shall consult with affected ferry users by public hearing and by review with the affected ferry advisory committees.(2) Before adding or eliminating a ferry route, the department shall c…

(1) Appropriations made for the Washington state ferries capital program may not be used for maintenance costs.(2) Appropriations made for preservation projects shall be spent only on preservation and only when warranted by asset condition, and shall not be spent on master plans,…

(1) The department shall develop and maintain a vessel maintenance and preservation program that meets or exceeds all federal requirements and, at a minimum:(a) Includes a bilge and void maintenance program;(b) Includes a visual inspection/audio gauging steel preservation program…

(1) The department shall maintain a life-cycle cost model on capital assets such that:(a) Available industry standards are used for estimating the life of an asset, and department-adopted standard life cycles derived from the experience of similar public and private entities are …

(1) Terminal and vessel preservation funding requests shall only be for assets in the life-cycle cost model.(2) Terminal and vessel preservation funding requests that exceed five million dollars per project must be accompanied by a predesign study. The predesign study must includ…