Committee hears bill to expand Commute Trip Reduction beyond 6–9 a.m.
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Summary
Representative Osman Salahuddin and employer and transit groups told the House Transportation Committee that House Bill 2,307 would modernize Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction program by removing the 6 a.m.–9 a.m. arrival window so more shift workers and nonstandard schedules can access employer commute benefits.
Representative Osman Salahuddin introduced House Bill 2,307 at the House Transportation Committee on Jan. 21, saying the law’s current 6 a.m.–9 a.m. arrival requirement excludes many shift workers and no longer reflects modern schedules.
“This bill provides a simple but important update to our commute trip reduction program,” Salahuddin said, arguing the change would let employers offer transit passes, vanpool subsidies and other options to more employees.
Lauren McDonald, testifying for Microsoft, described the company’s campus commute investments and supported the bill’s change to eligibility. “House Bill 2,307 makes a targeted practical update to the CTR statute by removing the requirement that employees arrive between 6 and 9AM to qualify for incentives,” McDonald said.
Nonprofit and regional implementers also urged the committee to move the bill. Holden Ringer of Transportation Choices Coalition and Kelly Reefer of Move Redmond said the amendment would extend proven commute benefits to workers who start outside peak arrival hours, citing examples such as nurses, retail staff and manufacturing employees who currently fall outside the program.
Staff told the committee the bill would take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the session in which it passes and that a fiscal note was requested on Jan. 9 but had not yet been received. No committee action or vote on HB 2,307 was recorded at the hearing.
Supporters framed the bill as an equity and congestion‑reduction measure that would allow local CTR implementers to recruit more worksites and help employers manage parking and retention. The committee closed public testimony and moved to the next agenda item.
