Title 47 — Title 47 PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause or authorize to be operated any civil aircraft within this state unless such aircraft has an appropriate effective certificate, permit, or license issued by the United States, if such certificate, permit, or license is requi…

The department shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order or a *residential or visitation order. If th…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or any of the rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanor.(2)(a) Any person violating any of the provisions of RCW 47.68.220…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2711-S.SL) ***(1) Every aircraft, inclusive of commercial unpiloted aircraft systems, must be registered with the department for each calendar year in which the aircraft is operated or is based within this state. A fee of fifteen dollars is charged for…

A person who is required to register an aircraft under this chapter and who registers an aircraft in another state or foreign country evading the Washington aircraft excise tax is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. For a second or subsequent offense, the person convicted is also subj…

The department or any officer or employee of the department designated by it has the power to hold investigations, inquiries, and hearings concerning matters covered by this chapter including accidents in aeronautics within this state. Hearings shall be open to the public and, ex…

The department may confer with or hold joint hearings with any agency of the United States in connection with any matter arising under this chapter or relating to the development of aeronautics.The department may avail itself of the cooperation, services, records, and facilities …

In carrying out this chapter the department may use the facilities and services of other agencies of the state and of the municipalities of the state to the utmost extent possible, and the agencies and municipalities are authorized and directed to make available their facilities …

It is the duty of the secretary, the department, the officers and employees of the department, and every state and municipal officer charged with the enforcement of state and municipal laws to enforce and assist in the enforcement of this chapter and of all other laws of this sta…

Every order of the department requiring performance of certain acts or compliance with certain requirements and any denial or revocation of an approval, certificate, or license shall set forth the reasons and shall state the acts to be done or requirements to be met before approv…

The department is authorized to report to the appropriate federal agencies and agencies of other states all proceedings instituted charging violation of RCW 47.68.220 and 47.68.230 and all penalties, of which it has knowledge, imposed upon airmen or airwomen or the owners or oper…

A structure or obstacle that obstructs the air space above ground or water level, when determined by the department after a hearing to be a hazard or potential hazard to the safe flight of aircraft, shall be plainly marked, illuminated, painted, lighted, or designated in a manner…

The secretary may require owners, operators, lessees, or others having the control or management of structures or obstacles over one hundred fifty feet above ground or water level and that are or may become a hazard to air flight to report the location of the existing or proposed…

RCW 47.68.340 and 47.68.350 shall not apply to structures required to be marked by federal regulations.[ 1983 c 3 s 147; 1961 c 263 s 4. Formerly RCW 14.04.360.]

(1) The aviation division of the department is responsible for the conduct and management of all aerial search and rescue within the state. This includes search and rescue efforts involving aircraft and airships. The division is also responsible for search and rescue activities i…

(1) The aviation division of the department of transportation shall conduct a statewide airport capacity and facilities assessment. The assessment must include a statewide analysis of existing airport facilities, and passenger and air cargo transportation capacity, regarding both…

(1) After submitting the assessment under RCW 47.68.390, the aviation division of the department of transportation shall conduct a statewide airport capacity and facilities market analysis. The analysis must include a statewide needs analysis of airport facilities, passenger and …

(1) Within amounts collected from commercial unpiloted aircraft registration fees pursuant to RCW 47.68.250(1), the aviation division director (also known as the senior state aviation official) or the aviation division director's designee shall act as the unpiloted aircraft syste…

(1) The department of transportation must convene a community aviation revitalization board to exercise the powers granted under this chapter.(2) The board must consist of a representative from the department of transportation's aviation division, the public works board, and a no…

In addition to other applicable provisions of law pertaining to conflicts of interest of public officials, any community aviation revitalization board member, appointive or otherwise, may not participate in any decision on any board contract in which the board member has any inte…

The community aviation revitalization board may:(1) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;(2) Adopt an official seal and alter the seal at its pleasure;(3) Utilize the services of other governmental agencies;(4) Accept from any federal age…

(1) The community aviation revitalization board may make direct loans to airport sponsors of public use airports in the state for the purpose of airport improvements that primarily support general aviation activities. The board may provide loans for the purpose of airport improve…

The public use general aviation airport loan program, when authorized by the community aviation revitalization board, is subject to the following conditions:(1) The moneys in the public use general aviation airport loan revolving account created in RCW 47.68.490 must be used only…

To enhance competition for loans and the quality of projects for which loans are sought, the community aviation revitalization board must take such reasonable measures as are necessary to familiarize government officials and members of the public with this chapter, particularly t…

The public use general aviation airport loan revolving account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from moneys collected under sections 6023 and 4005, chapter 413, Laws of 2019 and section 1, chapter 175, Laws of 2021 and RCW 47.68.430 through 47.68.480…

The community aviation revitalization board and the department of transportation must keep proper records of accounts, which are subject to audit by the state auditor.[ 2021 c 175 s 9.]Notes:Findings—Effective date—2021 c 175: See notes following RCW 47.68.430.

The purposes of this chapter are to aid commerce and navigation, including the development of recreational facilities related thereto, and to otherwise promote the general welfare by the development of navigation canals within the boundaries of the state of Washington.[ 1965 ex.s…

In its capacity as successor to the canal commission, the department of transportation may:(1) Adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.(2) Make such investigations, surveys, and studies it deems necessary to determine the feasibility of the…

For the purposes of this chapter, "canal" is defined as any waterway for navigation created by construction of reservoirs or construction of channels by excavation in dry ground, in streams, rivers or in tidal waters and any existing waterway incorporated into such a canal and in…

The legislature finds that a balanced multimodal transportation system is required to maintain the state's commitment to the growing mobility needs of its citizens and commerce. The state's freight rail system, including branch lines, mainlines, rail corridors, terminals, yards, …

The Washington state department of transportation shall implement a state freight rail program that supports the freight rail service objectives identified in the state's multimodal transportation plan required under chapter 47.06 RCW. The support may be in the form of projects a…

(1) The department of transportation shall prepare and periodically update a state rail plan, the objective of which is to identify, evaluate, and encourage essential rail services. The plan shall:(a) Identify and evaluate mainline capacity issues;(b) Identify and evaluate port-t…

(1) The department of transportation shall continue its responsibility for the development and implementation of the state rail plan and programs, and the utilities and transportation commission shall continue its responsibility for railroad safety issues.(2) The department of tr…

The state, counties, local communities, ports, railroads, labor, and shippers all benefit from continuation of rail service and should participate in its preservation. Lines that provide benefits to the state and local jurisdictions, such as avoided roadway costs, reduced traffic…

(1) The essential rail assistance account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be appropriated only for the purposes specified in this section.(2) Moneys appropriated from the account to the department of transportation may be used by the department or dist…

All revenue received by the department of transportation from operating leases or other business operations on the Palouse River and Coulee City rail lines must be deposited in the essential rail assistance account created in RCW 47.76.250 and used only for the refurbishment or i…

The essential rail banking account is merged into the essential rail assistance account created under RCW 47.76.250. Any appropriations made to the essential rail banking account are transferred to the essential rail assistance account, and are subject to the restrictions of that…

(1) The department may sell or lease property acquired under this chapter to a county rail district established under chapter 36.60 RCW, a county, a port district, or any other public or private entity authorized to operate rail service. Any public or private entity that original…

(1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter that is essential for the operation of the rail service contemplated in RCW 47.76.280 is not sold or leased to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail service within six years of its acquisition by t…

If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail service within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may transfer and convey the property to the United States, its agencie…

The department is authorized subject to the provisions and requirements of zoning ordinances of political subdivisions of government, to rent or lease any lands acquired under this chapter, upon such terms and conditions as the department determines.[ 1993 c 224 s 10; 1991 sp.s. …

(1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold, conveyed, or leased to a public or private entity within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may, in its discretion, sell the property at public auction in accordance with s…

Transfers of ownership of property acquired under this chapter are exempt from chapters 8.25 and 8.26 RCW.[ 1993 c 224 s 12; 1991 sp.s. c 15 s 66; 1985 c 432 s 8. Formerly RCW 47.76.090.]Notes:Construction—Severability—1991 sp.s. c 15: See note following RCW 46.68.110.

The department of transportation shall continue to monitor federal rail policies and congressional action and communicate to Washington's congressional delegation and federal transportation agencies the need for a balanced transportation system and associated funding.[ 1990 c 43 …

Funds deemed by the department of transportation, in consultation with relevant port districts, to be in excess of current operating needs or capital reserves of the grain train program may be transferred from the miscellaneous program account to the essential rail assistance acc…

(1) The department must transfer, at no cost, to the Port of Royal Slope the Royal Slope railroad right-of-way, and any materials, equipment, and supplies purchased as a part of the Royal Slope rehabilitation project (L1000053).(2) The Port of Royal Slope must maintain the Royal …

The legislature finds that an actively coordinated and cooperatively facilitated railcar pool for transportation of perishable agricultural commodities is necessary for the continued viability and competitiveness of Washington's agricultural industry. The legislature also finds t…

As used in RCW 47.76.400 through * 47.76.450 "short line railroad" means a Class II or Class III railroad as defined by the United States Surface Transportation Board.[ 2003 c 191 s 2.]Notes:*Reviser's note: RCW 47.76.450 was repealed by 2025 c 399 s 1.

In addition to powers otherwise granted by law, the department may establish a Washington Produce Railcar Pool to promote viable, cost-effective rail service for Washington produce, including but not limited to apples, onions, pears, and potatoes, both processed and fresh.To the …

To the extent that funds are appropriated, the department shall fund the program as follows: The department may accept funding from the federal government, or other public or private sources, to purchase or lease new or used railcars and to refurbish and remodel the railcars as n…