State budget disagreement leaves fast‑ferry funding uncertain ahead of World Cup

Dylan Doty, Kitsap Transit’s legislative representative in Olympia, told the board on April 1 that the House and Senate budget proposals contain several discrepancies affecting transit programs, including funding for the Seattle–Bremerton fast‑ferry operation and regional mobility grants.

Doty said the House proposal would fund the Bremerton fast‑ferry through Labor Day 2026 at a higher level, while the Senate provided a smaller allocation (around $837,000 in an earlier version). He said reconciliation will be required and that the agency is actively monitoring both chambers: “The house currently has that funded about 3 and a half million to continue that, through Labor Day of 26, whereas the senate only included a little over 850,000 before 2 months' worth of World Cup service in 2026.”

Doty also reported the House and Senate differ on long‑term regional mobility grant funding; a committee amendment restored funding the House had zeroed out in an earlier draft. He noted both chambers are considering revenue measures (gas tax increases, fee changes, tolling proposals) that will need to be reconciled in conference committee.

Board members asked whether the current draft budgets represent a balanced approach and what the likely timing will be. Doty said both chambers will need to reconcile differences: “They each have gas tax increases, various fees and, tax increases in both of their budgets, and they'll have to come down to the wire to figure out exactly which versions they use.” He said Kitsap Transit staff and local legislators are advocating to preserve funding for capital and operating programs and that the agency is “pretty solid” on many capital requests.

Doty’s update framed the fast‑ferry program as contingent on final legislative action; board members said they will continue outreach to legislators to secure needed appropriations for service through the event period.