Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 2134
Brief Description: Concerning regional transportation plans, of regional transportation planning organizations containing certain counties, providing for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
Sponsors: Representatives Duerr, Reed, Parshley, Ryu, Ramel, Doglio, Fitzgibbon, Zahn and Gregerson.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the regional transportation plans of certain regional transportation planning organizations to provide for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
Hearing Date: 1/19/26
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:

A Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) is a voluntary association of local governments within a county, or within geographically contiguous counties.  An RTPO is required to prepare a regional transportation plan (Plan), among other duties.  An RTPO can cover both urban and rural areas and receives state funding in support of its planning efforts.  There are currently 16 RTPOs, which cover 38 of Washington's 39 counties.

 

The RTPOs must prepare and update a Plan, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation, transportation providers, local governments, and other specified entities.  In addition to satisfying other requirements, the Plan must:

  • be based upon a least-cost planning methodology;
  • identify existing or planned transportation facilities, services, and programs;
  • establish regional level of service standards for qualifying highways and ferry routes;
  • include a financial plan; and
  • assess regional development patterns, capital investments, and other measures to ensure the preservation of the regional transportation system.

 

The Plan must also set forth a proposed regional transportation approach, including capital investments, service improvements, programs, and transportation demand management measures to guide the development of an integrated, multimodal regional transportation system.  All transportation projects, programs, and demand management measures within the region must be consistent with the Plan and adopted regional growth and transportation strategies.
Summary of Bill:

The Plans of certain regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) are required to provide for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.  The requirement applies to RTPOs that contain a county or counties meeting one or more of the following criteria:

  • a county with a population density of at least 100 people per square mile and a population of at least 200,000;
  • a county bordering the Columbia and Snake rivers with a population density of at least 75 people per square mile and an annual growth rate of at least 1.65 percent; or
  • a county located to the west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains with a population of at least 130,000. 

 

The requirement currently applies to Benton, Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Skagit, Thurston, Whatcom, and potentially Franklin counties.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.