Committee moves four transportation bills out of committee with unanimous voice votes

A House committee advanced four transportation-related bills out of committee on unanimous voice votes, moving each to the next stage with a “due pass” recommendation.

The measures included changes to bidding and subcontractor licensing rules, a change that allows longer flatbed trucks so farmers can move commodities, a substitute bill creating a permitting work group with a delayed start date at Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)’s request, and a bill to expand delivery methods available to WSDOT. Each bill was recorded as passing the committee by voice vote with the clerk announcing 27 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent or excused.

Representative Zahn moved adoption of House Bill 16 33, which sponsors described as a “little bill” that “looks at the bidding submission requirements and make[s] sure that the subcontractors are licensed to perform the work” and cleans up outdated language. Representative Zahn said, “this bill is a important little bill that looks at the bidding submission requirements and make sure that the subcontractors are licensed to perform the work. And I think that it also does some out cleanup of some outdated information. I move adoption.” The committee approved the bill by voice vote; the clerk reported 27 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent or excused.

Representative Clicker moved House Bill 18 98, which he said would allow slightly longer flatbed lengths to help farmers transport commodities to grain elevators. Representative Clicker described the measure as addressing prior length reductions tied to cab-over truck designs and said it would “allow farmers [to] get their commodities to the grain elevator to the place where they want to unload their hay.” Representative Grama and Representative Schmidt spoke in support. The committee approved the bill by voice vote; the clerk reported 27 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent or excused.

Representative Richards moved the proposed substitute for House Bill 19 02 and introduced an amendment that “adds additional groups” and moves the required start date of the work group to Oct. 1, 2025, “in reflection of a request from the Washington State Department of Transportation.” Richards said the change reflects requests from multiple state entities involved in permitting and described the effort as bipartisan. Representative Steebe and other members voiced support. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote; the clerk reported 27 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent or excused.

Representative Zahn moved House Bill 19 70, which sponsors said would give WSDOT additional delivery methods already available to other agencies and help the state save money in project delivery. Representative Zahn said, “this is a really important bill when we talk about efficient and effective government and making sure that WSDOT has all the delivery methods, that other agencies already have,” and moved adoption. Representative Schmidt and Representative Timmons spoke in support. The committee approved the bill by voice vote; the clerk reported 27 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent or excused.

After the votes, committee leadership announced a schedule change for the next meeting: it will start at 1 p.m. and open with a short work session on the current transportation budget challenges, followed by staff briefings and caucus breaks. Staff also announced deadlines for amendments: for bills already published for executive session, amendments must be finalized by 6 p.m. the same day; for bills added to the executive session list the following day, any requested amendments must be finalized by 10 a.m. Representatives named in the meeting identified three bills expected to be added to the executive session for the next day: House Bill 14 23 (vehicle noise cameras), House Bill 18 37 (intercity passenger rail), and House Bill 19 80 (employer transportation services).