issue area reports | infrastructure
Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, chair of the House Transportation Committee, speaks during the dedication of the new 520 floating bridge in April.
ESHB 2524 supplemental transportation budget
Passed / AWB Supported
AWB supported Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2524, sponsored by Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2015-2017 biennium. Overall, the transportation budget represents $ 8.6 billion in spending, with $ 507 million in higher-than-expected revenues. The budget maintains the commitments to the 2015 statewide revenue package, funds wage increases for State Patrol troopers, adds $ 113 million for fish passage barriers, and funds two new road projects on I-405: an auxiliary lane northbound between SR 520 and NE 70th, and a hard shoulder running northbound between SR 527 and I-5. AWB supported the supplemental transportation budget and it passed the House by a vote of 86-10, and the Senate 44-5.
2ESHB 2778 expanding ev tax exemption
Passed / AWB Supported
Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2778, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, modifies retail sales and use tax exemption criteria for certain clean alternative fuel vehicles. The bill increases the price cap for qualifying vehicles to $ 42,500 of the MSRP, and limits the sales tax exemption to the first $ 32,000 of the selling price. The bill also requires the Department of Licensing to terminate the program two months after 7,500 vehicles have received the sales tax exemption, or by June 30, 2019. 2ESHB 2778 passed the House by a vote of 66-29 and the Senate by a vote of 28-15
HB 2312 / SSB 6152 modifying the operation of the interstate 405 express toll lanes
Failed / AWB Supported
AWB supported House Bill 2312 and Substitute Senate Bill 6152, sponsored by Rep. Mark Harmsworth, R-Mill Creek, and Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, modifying the operation of the Interstate 405 express toll lanes. The bills would have opened the express toll lanes for all users on nights, weekends, and holidays, and authorized the Department of Transportation to operate only one toll lane in each direction. The bills also would have prohibited expanding the toll lanes on I-405 south of Bellevue. HB 2312 and SSB 6152 received ample attention but ultimately did not pass. In response, the Washington Transportation Commission did open the toll lanes to all drivers on weekends.
Bill considered as part of AWB’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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