The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) oversees the national rail safety program, and issues federal safety requirements and inspection efforts to monitor compliance. The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has regulatory jurisdiction over rail safety practices and collects rail inspection information.

Federal law requires states to have a State Safety Oversight (SSO) program regarding fixed rail guideway transit systems. Transit agencies operating rail fixed guideway transit systems are required to submit safety plans, as well as security and emergency preparedness to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). WSDOT has safety and security-related investigative and enforcement authority, and must be independent from any agency it oversees, as required under state and federal law. WSDOT may levy financial penalties for noncompliance with state or federal regulations. On an annual basis, WSDOT is required to report the status of safety and security of each rail fixed guideway public transit system to the Governor, Federal Transit Authority (FTA), transportation committees of the Legislature and each rail fixed guideway public transit agency. Rail fixed guideway public transportation systems in Washington include Sound Transit Link light rail, Seattle streetcars, and the Seattle Monorail.

There have been numerous studies on rail safety oversight in Washington since the December 2017 derailment of the Amtrak passenger train near DuPont. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a final report in May 2019, detailing the investigation and safety recommendations based on investigation results. In 2021, the Joint Transportation Committee commissioned an Assessment of Rail Safety Governance in Washington State, completed by consultant teams at CPCS. In 2022, the UTC completed the Washington State Inventory of Rail Oversight.

The UTC is authorized to oversee rail safety in the state to the extent permitted by federal law, including for new or materially changed railroad operations and infrastructure, and oversight of safety management practices. WSDOT must coordinate with the UTC and Amtrak to facilitate the oversight of state passenger rail service to the extent permitted under federal law. 

Authority is expanded for the UTC to investigate and inspect rail safety practices to the extent permitted. On an annual basis, the UTC must produce a report on rail safety in the state to the transportation committees of the Legislature, including the Joint Transportation Committee, and make the report public. The UTC must promote rail safety through facilitation of communication and collaboration among stakeholders, including local jurisdictions, host and tenant railroads, and rail labor organizations. 

The UTC must examine and make recommendations on implementation of a gross revenue fee within Washington State to the transportation committees of the Legislature by December 2023. 

Safety oversight of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems is transferred from WSDOT to the UTC, upon federal certification from the FTA. 

Before January 1, 2026, the UTC is authorized to adopt rules and policies, hire staff, certify personnel, and facilitate stakeholder communication to ensure implementation of the act. All rules adopted prior to January 1, 2026, must have an effective date consistent with the act's effective date.