'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 described to the committee include: - Entities authorized to create POF districts: public transportation benefit areas (PTBAs), counties, port districts, city transit systems, county transportation authorities, metropolitan municipal corporations, unincorporated transportation benefit areas and regional transit authorities, provided they border or contain navigable water. - Local financing options tied to an approved POF investment plan: up to 0.3% sales and use tax, a commercial parking tax for qualifying counties, passenger tolls, and fees or licenses for advertising and space leasing; a majority vote of district voters is required to approve the investment plan and proposed taxes. - A new Local Passenger‑Only Ferry Account created in the state treasury, to be administered by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB). Funds may be appropriated only for a CRAB‑run grant program for (among other items) purchase of used POF vessels, construction or rehabilitation of docking facilities, operations and maintenance, and feasibility studies. CRAB must adopt rules for fund allocation and report program status in its annual report to the legislature. - The bill contains an emergency clause and (as drafted) would take effect July 1, 2025. Committee staff said a fiscal note was requested on Feb. 14 but had not been received by the time of the hearing.

Sponsor remarks and testimony: Representative Greg Nance (sponsor) described the bill as an urgent, practical response to WSF cancellations: "The Mosquito Fleet Act is the fastest and cheapest way to put new boats on the water," he said, adding the bill would help communities ranging from the San Juans to Grays Harbor and Lake Washington. Nance framed POF service as a complement — not a replacement — for WSF and said the bill would allow jurisdictions to move quickly to restore service, strengthen maritime jobs and increase resilience for medical and employment access.

A broad coalition of local officials, port commissioners, transit agencies, union representatives, small‑business owners and emergency responders testified in support. Kitsap Transit partners, Port of Everett and Port of Olympia representatives described local planning and dock projects already underway; San Juan and Bainbridge Island officials said passenger‑only routes help reduce isolation and support health‑care access and tourism; fire chiefs and emergency‑management volunteers said POF service would add evacuation and response options in disasters.

Concerns and trade‑offs: Testimony also flagged recurring issues lawmakers asked the committee to weigh. Several county and port witnesses said local jurisdictions are interested in forming districts but repeatedly asked whether long‑term operations and maintenance (O&M) costs would rely on continued state support or local taxing capacity. Ports emphasized they can provide land, permitting and some financing tools but generally do not anticipate being sole long‑term operators or funders of O&M.

Environmental and species protection questions were raised by opponents and one witness who urged stricter limits on POF growth in orca habitat. Donna Sandstrom warned the committee that increased vessel traffic in the San Juan Islands and central Puget Sound "will create chaos for these whales" and asked for explicit protections, oversight and training requirements for vessel operators to minimize disturbance and collision risk.

Operational details and grant scope: Meneke and multiple witnesses described the CRAB grant program’s intended uses (used vessel purchase, dock work, operations/maintenance support and feasibility studies). The bill permits grants to fund vessel procurement and dock construction and allows CRAB to retain earnings in the account. A majority of witnesses urged the committee to consider equitable access (for island residents and tribal communities), electric or low‑emission vessels and alignment of routes with land‑side transit.

Next steps: The hearing record closed and the committee announced it would meet in executive session to consider bills and follow with further briefings. Committee staff noted the bill would require additional work on fiscal impacts and on drafting tighter environmental and operational safeguards before possible passage.