WashingtonLarge cities can tow vehicles blocking streetcars or threatening safety
In a city with more than 700,000 people, an authorized city representative may direct a tow when a vehicle blocks streetcars or threatens public safety.
What it does
In a city with more than 700,000 people, a vehicle blocking streetcars or threatening public safety in the streetcar right-of-way may be towed immediately at an authorized city representative’s direction.
Argument forCities could clear vehicles that block streetcars or threaten public safety right away, helping keep streetcar routes open.
Argument againstDrivers could lose access to their vehicles without advance notice because a qualifying vehicle may be impounded immediately.
More detail
A registered tow truck operator may impound a vehicle immediately when an authorized city representative directs it. This applies in the streetcar right-of-way used by a city with more than 700,000 people. The vehicle must obstruct streetcar operations or jeopardize public safety. The city representative must be authorized to request the impound. The vehicle may be impounded immediately when it obstructs streetcar operations or jeopardizes public safety.
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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 18Effective date 3/18/2026.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 99, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President 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 (#11). 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.
- Mar 2TRAN - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Feb 19First reading, referred to Transportation.Minor
- Feb 17Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#16). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 11Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 5TR - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 5Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.
- Jan 26Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 15First reading, referred to Transportation.Introduced
TransportationPublic Safety