WashingtonLocal governments can let employee shuttles use some transit-only lanes
With transit agency approval, local governments in counties with more than 2 million people can offer paid permits for employee shuttles through two-year transit-lane pilots.
What it does
In counties with more than 2 million people, local governments may approve two-year pilots letting eligible employer shuttles use certain transit-only lanes with paid permits and transit agency approval.
Local governments must report each year on lane performance with transit agencies. Permits must be revoked if any required standard is missed, until lane conditions allow compliance.
Permit fees cover the local government’s costs of issuing permits. Any remaining money must pay for maintaining and improving the transit-only lane under transit agency plans.
Argument forApproved pilots could help employees avoid traffic by letting their employer’s shuttles use lanes reserved for transit.
Argument againstSharing transit-only lanes with employer shuttles could slow public buses, making the required performance checks important for transit riders.
More detail
Local governments may issue paid permits for employer shuttles to use certain transit-only lanes through two-year pilot programs. The permission covers employer services for employees in counties with more than 2 million people. It applies to transit-only lanes that also let vehicles reach businesses beside the lane. Transit agencies must approve the pilot and set standards for efficient, reliable, and safe service, in consultation with local governments and transit employee unions. Shuttles must have room for at least eight passengers, follow regular fixed routes, display the employer’s name or logo on both sides, and meet annual state certification requirements. Pilots must recommend vehicle markings that show lane-use permission and ways to administer, monitor, and enforce the program. Pilot programs must be authorized to begin before 2035.
Local governments must prepare annual reports with transit agencies and revoke permits when any required lane standard is not met. Local governments and transit agencies share responsibility for performance measures and reports. Their yearly assessment must include input from unions representing transit employees. Permits remain revoked until lane conditions change enough to meet the required standards.
Permit fees must cover the local government’s permit administration costs, with any remaining money used for the transit-only lane. These rules cover money collected from paid permits under the employer shuttle pilot programs. Lane maintenance and improvements must follow transit agency plans. The law states that remaining fee revenue is not intended to replace other funding for the lane.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 17Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 17Chapter 81, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 17Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#26). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 27Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 27TRAN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 27Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 3Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 19First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- Jan 15Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#6). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 15Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 15Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Jan 15Returned to second reading for amendment.
- Jan 13Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on third reading.Minor
- Jan 12By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- 2025
- Apr 27By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- Apr 8Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Mar 20Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Mar 7First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#14). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 51st substitute bill substituted (TR 25).Major
- Mar 4Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 28Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 27TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 27Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 14First reading, referred to Transportation.Introduced
Transportation