Bill would direct WSDOT to convene work group to streamline permitting for transportation projects

House Bill 1902 would direct the Washington State Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Ecology, to convene a multi-stakeholder work group to develop recommendations to streamline permitting for transportation projects while maintaining environmental and regulatory protections.

"Under this bill, WSDOT, in consultation with Department of Ecology, is directed to convene a work group to develop recommendations to streamline the permitting of transportation projects," said David Monnke, staff to the committee, during the bill summary. The bill text, summarized for the committee, requires the work group to include representatives from WSDOT, the Department of Ecology, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties, an organization representing general contractors, a construction trades representative, and tribal governments invited by the WSDOT secretary.

The bill sets procedural deadlines: the work group must hold its first meeting by July 30, 2025, and submit a report to the Legislature, including any recommended legislation, by Nov. 1, 2026. The bill would take effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session in which it passes. A partial fiscal note presented during the hearing estimated a fiscal impact to WSDOT of $288,000: $250,000 for a consultant to convene the group and prepare the report and $38,000 to cover staff participation, oversight and tribal outreach.

Representative Addison Richards, the bill sponsor, said the measure aims to bring stakeholders together to reduce the time and cost of projects. "What we wanna do is to bring together stakeholders to talk about what it's gonna take to align, environmental, labor, and other standards to ultimately get our projects built faster and cheaper," Richards said, citing a local intersection where a roundabout is being considered as an example of projects slowed by multi-agency permitting.

Committee staff said the work group must ensure recommendations "ensure that all appropriate environmental and regulatory protections are maintained." The bill analysis included references to federal and state permits typically required for transportation projects, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, the Shoreline Management Act, the federal Clean Water Act, and hydraulic project approvals.

The public hearing on House Bill 1902 concluded with no final vote recorded; the committee did not specify next steps during the session. The bill requires WSDOT to file the work group report by Nov. 1, 2026, if enacted.