'Mosquito Fleet' bill would let local jurisdictions set up passenger‑only ferry districts; committee hears broad support and environmental questions

The House Transportation Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1923, the so‑called Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand authority for local entities to create passenger‑only ferry (POF) service districts, provide new state grant support and allow local revenue measures to implement POF service.

David Meneke, committee staff, briefed members on the bill’s core mechanics: under the proposal, the governing body of a public transportation benefit area (currently Kitsap Transit), a county, port district, municipal transit system or several other eligible local entities that border a navigable body of water could establish one or more passenger‑only ferry districts. Meneke told the committee that a district would be an independent taxing authority governed by the creating entity and authorized to finance, provide and contract for passenger‑only ferry service, including issuing certain bonds, entering public‑private partnerships and using alternative procurement methods.

Why it matters: Sponsors and supporters framed the bill as a fast, locally controlled way to restore capacity and resilience to Washington’s marine transportation network amid prolonged Washington State Ferries (WSF) service disruptions. Supporters said smaller, quickly deployable passenger‑only vessels can restore commuter, health‑care and economic connections more rapidly and at lower capital cost than large vehicle ferries.

Key bill features…