Senate Transportation Committee advances seven measures, including crash-prevention zone proposal

The Washington State Senate Transportation Committee met in executive session Feb. 9, 2026, and by voice vote advanced seven transportation-related measures to the rules committee, including a second substitute for a crash prevention‑zone bill, changes to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s data access and privacy authorities, requirements for pedestrian passage during construction, and a bill to allow rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel.

Brandon Popovac, committee staff, summarized competing second substitutes for Senate Bill 6,066, which would allow local jurisdictions or the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to create crash prevention zones on public roads with elevated serious-injury or fatality rates. Popovac said the substitute that the committee advanced (S-4840.2) clarifies enforcement coordination, requires engineering and traffic investigations, directs penalty revenue deposited into a zone account and authorizes WSDOT or local jurisdictions to expend those funds for zone components. "Any traffic infraction related to speeding or motor vehicle collision committed in a zone carries an additional penalty of $73 which must be deposited into a corresponding zone account," Popovac said. The substitute also authorizes certain speed-reduction technologies and, for local-created zones, permits the use of traffic safety cameras with fines up to $290 after administrative costs.

Senator Christian asked about distribution of distracted-driving penalty revenue, asking, "Where's the — it said 50% to go to the locals, what's the other 50% go to, please?" Popovac responded that distributions are a mix and that some portion goes to the court system and the state general fund, and that locals receive only a fraction of that 50%.

On Senate Bill 6,131, Popovac described a proposed substitute that would designate the Washington Traffic Safety Commission as a public health authority for certain traffic-safety work, authorize a fatality review committee, and include protections for healthcare information and driving records. Committee members adopted amendment S4874.1 (which includes a HIPAA-consistent definition and limits on use and disclosure) and voted to roll the amendment into the substitute and advance SB 6,131 with a due-pass recommendation to Rules.

Clint McCarthy reviewed Senate Bill 6,311, which would require permittees to maintain continuous and accessible pedestrian passage during construction within 300 feet of hospitals, parks and school zones and authorizes permitting authorities to inspect work zones and assess penalties. The committee withdrew an earlier proposed substitute and advanced a new proposed substitute (S-4807.2) clarifying applicability (including that school‑zone requirements apply on school days) and local‑agency feasibility determinations.

The committee also advanced Senate Joint Memorial 8016, a proposed substitute requesting that Congress treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and proposing that certain environmental reviews be conducted concurrently or after replacement.

Brian Moore briefed SB 6,230, which would allow cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest $0.05 after taxes and fees. Moore noted an estimated one-time fiscal impact of $186,000 to the Department of Licensing. An amendment (S4808.1) was offered and withdrawn after Sen. McEwen said a floor substitute was in development; additional amendments were withdrawn by unanimous consent. The committee gave SB 6,230 a due-pass recommendation to Rules.

Kelly Simpson summarized SB 6,032 (requirements for towed vehicles covered or cleaned of mud/debris, and a proposed amendment requiring reusable covers) and SB 6,335 (revising responsibilities of the State Transportation Commission, restoring certain planning authorities, adding 10 nonvoting local representatives, and moving a four‑year planning requirement to DOT). Both bills were advanced with due-pass recommendations.

Votes were taken by voice; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript. The committee thanked Senate Committee Services staff and adjourned.

Votes at a glance: SB 6,066 (advance S-4840.2) — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SB 6,131 (adopted amendment S4874.1; roll into substitute) — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SB 6,311 (withdrawn substitute, advanced S-4807.2) — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SJ 8016 — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SB 6,230 — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SB 6,032 — due pass to Rules (voice vote); SB 6,335 — due pass to Rules (voice vote).