In 2022 the Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5974 (ESSB 5794), regarding transportation resources. Included in the provisions of ESSB 5974 were the following:
The application of the existing license plate technology and license service fees is expanded to include all trucks, and the revenue from those fees are directed to the Move Ahead WA Account.
An RTA is made eligible to receive state Regional Mobility Grant Program funds, through a modification to two restrictive statutes, if the RTA enacts a policy for passengers 18 years of age and younger to ride free of charge on all modes of transportation prior to October 1, 2022.
The Connecting Communities Program at the WSDOT is renamed the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, in honor of the Spokane community advocate Sandy Williams.
The statewide school-based Bicycle Education Grant Program is modified to elaborate the types of equipment a nonprofit may provide to partner schools, to include bicycles, helmets, locks, and lights.
The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission is required to report to the transportation committees of the Legislature on activities funded from the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Account beginning December 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter.
The account title of account 20N is modified to the JUDY Transportation Future Funding Program Account, to allow the account to keep its own interest generated.
The requirement for the WSDOT to incorporate complete streets principles into certain projects is recodified from chapter 47.24 RCW to chapter 47.04 RCW.
Definitions for the terms "active transportation, complete streets, population center, safe systems approach, and shared-use path or multiuse path" are added to Title 47 RCW.
The Transit Support Grant Program is modified to specify that youth zero-fare policies must align with equity and environmental justice principles consistent with recommendations from the Environmental Justice Council to the extent practicable, and ensure low-barrier accessibility to a youth zero-fare program.
Identifying the revenues generated by an electric utility from credits under the Clean Fuels Program for transportation electrification programs are added to the responsibilities of the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council.
The Senate striking amendment requires that to qualify for transit support grants, transit agencies may not delay or suspend voter-approved sales taxes that were approved on or before January 1, 2022.
The striking amendment creates the Clean Fuels Transportation Investment Account. Receipts to the state from clean fuel credits generated from transportation investments must be deposited into the account.
(In support) There was a question regarding whether changes to certain fees would fit within the scope and object of the original bill, so this bill was introduced in order to resolve the issue.
(Opposed) None.