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Bill would let counties form ferry districts for vehicle-carrying ferries; sponsors say it provides parity and local options
Summary
Representative Joe Timmons and county officials said House Bill 2588 would let counties create ferry districts that can operate vehicle ferries (not just passenger-only vessels), giving four counties local tools to stabilize funding for aging ferries; supporters stressed it does not mandate new taxes.
Committee staff summarized House Bill 2588 as a measure to allow ferry districts to provide services related to vehicle ferries, not only passenger-only ferries. Kellen Wright explained that ferry districts are governed by county legislative authorities, may levy property taxes (with different rate caps inside and outside King County), and that the bill would align statutory authority so counties that operate vehicle ferries have the same local options other counties already possess.
Representative Joe Timmons, prime sponsor, said the change is about parity and local problem-solving. "This bill grants the 4 counties... the option that other counties across the state have to help fund their aging vessels," he said, citing Whatcom County’s Whatcom Chief ferry as an example of a vital, aging vessel that makes nearly 12,000 trips a year and provides lifeline access. Multiple local officials and advocates testified in favor: Kayla Schott Bressler (Whatcom County deputy executive) described the vessel’s age and essential services; Jani Hitchin (Pierce County Council chair) said the ferry system is a lifeline for island residents; Pam Gould (former ferry advisory committee chair and Lummi Island resident) urged stable, dependable funding; and Axel Swanson (Association of Counties) said the bill aligns powers to allow auto-carrying capacity in ferry districts.
Several witnesses stressed the bill does not automatically raise taxes: Kayla Schott Bressler said the measure "simply provides local legislative bodies the authority" to create ferry districts for vehicle ferries, while others described it as an optional local tool. Tribal and equity advocates (earlier in the day on other bills) reappeared in testimony to emphasize fairness and access. The committee closed the public hearing; no formal vote on HB 2588 was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
Ending: The public hearing closed and the committee moved on; proponents signaled intent to work on local implementation details and potential amendments as needed.
