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Unions, maritime and environmental groups urge permanent ban on public funds for fully automated port cranes
Summary
Senate Bill 5,995 would remove the sunset on a prohibition against port districts using public funds to buy fully automated marine cargo handling equipment; unions and climate/environment groups told the committee public dollars should favor human‑operated, low‑emission options to protect jobs and safety.
Senate Bill 5,995 would remove the sunset clause that currently limits port districts’ use of public funds to purchase fully automated marine container cargo‑handling equipment through Dec. 31, 2031, making that prohibition permanent.
Karen Epps, committee staff, summarized the existing law and said the bill would remove the 2031 sunset. Chair Solomon said the sponsor’s intent is to keep humans in the loop and preserve community jobs as ports move toward lower‑emission equipment.
Union leaders and rank‑and‑file longshore workers testified strongly in favor. Dan McKissen (ILWU Washington Area District Council) told the committee that automated equipment is considerably more expensive and that private tenants — the multinational companies that typically buy cargo equipment — would be better targets for automation spending than taxpayers. "Please support SB 5,995 ... make sure Washington taxpayers aren't underwriting automation and eliminating jobs," McKissen said.
Keesa Sten (ILWU Local 52) and other union witnesses argued automation has already reduced local jobs and that human oversight is necessary for safety and operational accuracy. Megan Mason (Local 23) and Nick Mattson (Local 51) echoed those concerns, saying automation shifts costs to the wider supply chain and damages local economies.
Maritime representatives and ship officers also focused on safety. Dan Tuig (vice president, Masters, Mates & Pilots) cited a container‑loss event in Los Angeles and argued the human element is essential in emergency responses. Waylon Roberts (Sailors Union Pacific) said automation hampers national security readiness by shrinking apprenticeship billets.
Environmental and labor‑climate coalitions supported the bill’s aim to direct public dollars to zero‑emission, human‑operated equipment that both reduces emissions and preserves jobs. Jessica Koski (BlueGreen Alliance) said public investment should "create and sustain good jobs, not eliminate them."
Chair Solomon reported a large public sign‑in on SB 5,995: 1,002 people had signed in (not testifying), with 902 in favor and 88 opposed. The committee closed the public hearing and sign‑in record.
