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Council discusses Mosquito Fleet bill, ferry reservation concerns and Olympia strategy
Summary
Council members reviewed changes to a substitute for the Mosquito Fleet Act (HB 1923) that reduce state fiscal impacts and add protections for orcas, discussed ferry reservation system failures and possible letters from the Ferry Advisory Committee, and coordinated Olympia outreach with the county’s lobbyist and LD 40 representatives.
Council members spent time Feb. 3 on legislative issues tied to marine transportation and the ongoing legislative session. Members described a recently circulated third substitute for House Bill 1923 (the Mosquito Fleet Act), saying that the rewrite trims state fiscal exposure and adds protections for marine wildlife, which may improve its prospects in transportation committees and the Senate.
Council members and the lobbyist outlined plans to lobby senators and other leaders in Olympia, urged leveraging the county’s ferry caucus and the Ferry Advisory Committee for written concerns, and asked staff to prepare documentation about the reservation system problems that uniquely affect this county’s complex ferry routes. Members discussed the role of the regional Swiss caucus and transportation subcommittees in coordinating messages.
After an executive session, lobbyist Josh Lees summarized session deadlines (policy committee cutoffs, fiscal deadlines, state revenue forecast Feb. 16) and said county staff would circulate updated bill lists and watch for any budget line items that could affect ferry funding or behavioral health. Council asked lobbyists and staff to flag fiscal‑committee budget proposals quickly so councilors can respond during the compressed window when both chambers release budget proposals.
