[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6107617,"mediaKeyId","2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad","parentId",2772951,"title","Ferry‑dependent communities press Senate for water‑taxi funding and vessel staffing; FAC study draws criticism","audioSeconds",1500,"startMs",2651000,"endMs",4151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad&start=2651&end=4151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad/thumbnail_2651000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6107617/Washington/Ferrydependent-communities-press-Senate-for-watertaxi-funding-and-vessel-staffing-FAC-study-draws-criticism","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107617-4af19d7dc70d36657a5242046df3337e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186914&Signature=mwqslyU~ViYeBp0V2salf95njs3S0BcuiBuQD9wmsyhORYqibPQroLjBxx8J9hv0u~lfUu0KEdoxqt7HV30pwhBuBBDRK9JKGDbxhbowe2e9JqadD~U63~8kXfLYpfhGDW3MSIqczyL5Dtro0qiVCafqyyhK97DFBJnWvLPtHioDGYN7sX5~TTGehU4NwEdj~xQRGFGNcMBxY1om2nmLOze-tY6WlG74lqi4vF9lqGUpC2bo7UozZFOeJ499gEmRSER6NFhWuZhBPxTObt39ZoDVKognph2YeaDMjT4AZoNULJJqqLIkaH2aM9mdrf7jethYPI9ERkwgQie9FYcpcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Transportation","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Public testimony at the March 25 hearing repeatedly focused on Washington State Ferries and interim services such as the King County water taxi that supplement the state system.

Island residents and local officials said they rely on the midday water taxi and asked the committee to retain funding in the transportation budget that would maintain and expand that service. Amy Dreyer of Vashon Islanders for Ferry Action said Washington State Ferries \"walked back\" a restoration promise and that Vashon and the Triangle Route should not expect restored three‑ferry service this summer. \"The water taxi mitigates the ferry scribe, so this is the worst possible time to cut back a service that helps so many people,\" testified Rick Wallace, a Vashon resident.

King County and local elected officials urged the Senate to match House investments and to continue transitional funding already used to preserve service. Michelle Luhan on behalf of King County said the county \"strongly urge[s] continuation of the current additional service to Vashon,\" calling the water taxi critical for health care and work trips.

Several ferry advisory committee members and stakeholders objected to a proposed $75,000 contract for a study of ferry advisory committees by the Evans School. Tom Tiersch, chair of the Port Townsend Ferry Advisory Committee, told the committee the study is unnecessary: FACs are volunteer bodies with statutory roles and he urged the committee to require Washington State Ferries to meet its statutory obligations and work collaboratively with FACs instead of commissioning the study. Other FAC members and testifiers urged that the study scope include how riders and communities can more effectively participate and recommended involvement from passenger vessel experts if the study proceeds.

San Juan County, Kitsap County, and other ferry‑served jurisdictions thanked the committee for targeted investments the Senate proposal includes—winter service enhancements, vessel staffing, reservation‑system improvements, and maintenance appropriations—and urged those items be preserved in any final budget.

No committee action was taken on ferry items during the hearing; testifiers asked the committee to restore or maintain funding during the amendment and conference process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Transportation - 3/25/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Island residents, ferry advisory committee members, and local governments urged the Senate Transportation Committee to retain funding for midday water‑taxi service, restore ferry staffing, and preserve winter service enhancements for ferry routes.","taxTitle","Transportation, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20512,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107621,"Senate resources bill would raise gas tax, index fees and add new levies; stakeholders split over equity and program impacts",486,966000,1452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad&start=966&end=1452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad/thumbnail_966000.jpg","/articles/6107621/Washington/Senate-resources-bill-would-raise-gas-tax-index-fees-and-add-new-levies-stakeholders-split-over-equity-and-program-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107621-8ece22aff5b2c837b1aa5fa4085be77a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186914&Signature=lQPepBlV96UTNlFguuG0GzhvtsRT5kaAJZeAfcJLxnchkWV2OJh0ny0HWiAvR843EPAANRWpnh0arBoyZYD9dZgrmTwpy08E0Xxy8~huHXnyDzZpaFLz3Zog7bdS0U~YvanYK9IBzbCx3VgLFS4nGrUDE91M5Cmwlmcw7~v8dkxQdqpRAi7st-9Ghqji6xBWbtTHK6Su8Qmu4i93Ua81xMfcYpPB4Qyo9nwWw7gPHwxx6~bdDglSccoM4tWcPyhg7bSMR8yeZe66H8aNzn8a-WldP-glsjsPMy4O70wPPcND8KXiDyFQ3lLHUEqIOTS-YH2x3ZPgs9Yfejd~x8HJQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee staff walked senators through the revenue provisions of Senate Bill 5,801 and detailed estimated receipts for each item over a six‑year window.

Brian Moore summarized the largest revenue items on the bill chart: \"Beginning 07/01/2025, there would be a 6¢ increase in the current 49.4¢ state fuel tax rate. In the second year ... that total rate ... would be increased by inflation applied to the entire rate.\" Moore said that fuel‑tax indexing and the initial increase account for about $1.5 billion of the package's six‑year revenues. He also described electric‑vehicle registration increases and indexing (estimated at $452 million), higher title/registration service and filing fees (some of which are retained by subagents and counties), rental‑car tax changes that would apply to peer‑to‑peer car sharing (estimated $214 million), a 10% luxury vehicle tax on amounts above $100,000 (about $279 million), an e‑bike surcharge (about $9 million), and other smaller assessments such as tire disposal fee changes and a large‑event facility assessment.

Moore said the proposal assumes a 4% annual increase in ferry fares above baseline in the model and includes a $125 penalty for first work‑zone violations under the speed camera pilot. He noted the proposal is a six‑year revenue projection and that many provisions have staggered effective dates.

During public testimony, stakeholders were split. Labor and construction groups, county and city officials, and many transportation advocates voiced support for raising revenue to restore preservation, maintenance and safety work and to avoid deeper project delays. \"Preservation projects are often the most cost effective in the long run,\" Heather Kurtenbach of the State Building Trades said.

Conversely, business groups and some advocacy organizations opposed particular provisions. Tim Eyman testified the package imposes too many taxes and called the overall set of increases \"shocking.\" The Western States Petroleum Association urged caution on indexing, saying indexing weakens legislative accountability and noting that cumulative charges and Climate Commitment Act costs already raise per‑gallon fuel costs. The Seattle Mariners and other event interests opposed a proposed $1 large‑event assessment, calling it an additional tax on attendees and vendors at venues already subject to admissions and parking taxes.

Other objections focused on the distributional or programmatic consequences of specific provisions: environmental groups and EV advocates objected to reductions in funding for the zero‑emission medium and heavy‑duty vehicle incentive program while companies building truck charging infrastructure and vehicle manufacturers urged restoring that funding to support fleet transitions. Peer‑to‑peer platform Turo opposed taxing its transactions and urged closing an existing rental‑industry sales‑tax loophole first; major rental car companies argued parity is needed because some peer‑to‑peer firms now purchase fleets.

Staff and stakeholders flagged next steps: staff noted effective dates embedded in each bill section and reminded the committee that amendment requests must be submitted by the committee deadline ahead of executive action.","Senate staff described SB 5,801 revenue measures including a 6¢ fuel tax increase with a 2% annual indexing schedule, higher EV fees and a package of new and revised vehicle‑ and event‑related levies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107627,"Senate Transportation staff outline $10.2 billion six‑year plan; $7 billion in bond authorization proposed",774,84000,858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad&start=84&end=858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2772951-94b325e191702c036120ed08ec11f6ad/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6107627/Washington/Senate-Transportation-staff-outline-102-billion-sixyear-plan-7-billion-in-bond-authorization-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107627-50fc8f3095979e15c22d48463aa53c95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186914&Signature=izjlKyp~LHPoWro0i2FrQDi7~QtYfiICkCFGyG6MtX4-GzA3Ozi4TzDQtoTiAcVrctrqfi~s8EOfesaZW9PJwnri6gsjW9FQLx4z6pF5QMlVtmGeUGUEz86V0vth-JkYrqRTzgP71I-~oB3QnQnrq4vuFiI~W50YVQb8TIS93ITfIvzmLblDd-aYP4dTuQPhs9kQWYlvk4GW8oi3-9qweDLpU1zyoFGoqEbl91eXE82xbzdSK9Qizz-GgW2viSYO1VUOm0Ynkpc7hOzja0m-wjyXSvZvClt9FbaAqJnIIj5C~0DD3wfxkfZwi31OqPNLAT4mQ9~shpFrm98Oc~0Q5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate Transportation Committee staff briefing on March 25 laid out four linked bills that together would reshape transportation funding and borrowing for the next six years.

Haley Gamble, budget coordinator for the committee, told senators the package includes a new‑revenue spending bill (Senate Bill 5,160), the regular biennial transportation appropriations bill (Senate Bill 5,161), a bond authorization bill (Senate Bill 5,800), and a resources and policy bill (Senate Bill 5,801). \"You're looking at about $10,200,000,000 over the 6 year time period,\" Gamble said, summarizing the revenue and spending matrices provided to the committee.

Gamble said traditional transportation revenues (fuel and related vehicle revenues) account for roughly $3 billion of the six‑year total, bond proceeds comprise a $7 billion authorization of which about $3.7 billion is shown spent in the current proposal, and a portion of an existing sales tax transfer (0.3% starting in FY27) would shift into a multimodal account and is currently estimated to add about $800 million per year in later years. \"So you're looking at $3,200,000,000 coming in from that source in this 6 year plan,\" Gamble said.

Staff detailed the biennial spending profile for the 2025–27 period and the six‑year plan. Gamble said the package restores operating and capital items trimmed in current‑law budgets and adds preservation and maintenance dollars, listing $2 billion for preservation across six years plus $375 million for maintenance and $700 million over six years for eligible safety projects. She also pointed senators to program‑level spreadsheets and a list of projects funded by the new revenue proposal.

Committee staff said the bond bill (SB 5,800) would authorize $7 billion in highway bonding backed by gas tax and vehicle fees, and would increase the State Route 520 toll‑backed bond authorization from $1.95 billion to $2.45 billion. \"No bonds would be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation of the proceeds of those bonds,\" Gamble said.

On the resources bill (SB 5,801), committee staff Brian Moore described a series of specific revenue provisions detailed in the bill: a six‑cent increase to the state fuel tax on July 1, 2025 with a 2% annual inflation indexing; increases and indexing of electric vehicle registration fees; increases to title, registration service and filing fees (with portions retained by county subagents and others); adjustments to rental car tax and application of that tax to peer‑to‑peer car‑sharing; and a new luxury vehicle tax for vehicles priced above $100,000. Moore and Kelly Simpson, committee staff, also walked senators through hundreds of policy and program provisions in the resources bill, including toll policy changes, permit streamlining, new and altered grant programs, and other statutory amendments.

Senators asked clarifying questions about bond timing and the fixed 2% indexing rate for several increases. Senator Christian asked whether the bonds \"are dumped all at once or spread out over years,\" and staff replied the bonds would be issued according to a spending plan and not issued all at once. Senator King asked staff to confirm effective dates; staff pointed the committee to the effective‑date language already included in the bill chart.

Committee business at the start of the hearing included a motion to waive the five‑day notice rule required under Senate Rule 45 in order to hear the bills that day. The motion was carried by voice vote.

What’s next: staff reminded senators of the amendment deadlines and posting requirements for the committee's scheduled executive session on the bills. Committee staff said Senate rules require amendment requests to be filed with staff by noon the day before executive action and posted that evening in the electronic bill book.

No formal committee action on the three substantive bills took place at the hearing; the session was a staff briefing and public hearing on the bills and budget documents.","Committee staff briefed senators on a linked package of transportation bills that together propose about $10.2 billion in new revenues over six years, $1.9 billion in 2025–27 spending in the proposition shown, and $7 billion in potential bond authority for highway projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ferry‑dependent communities press Senate for water‑taxi funding and vessel staffing; FAC study draws criticism

Senate resources bill would raise gas tax, index fees and add new levies; stakeholders split over equity and program impacts

Senate Transportation staff outline $10.2 billion six‑year plan; $7 billion in bond authorization proposed