Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 2495
Brief Description: Addressing the removal of vehicles by certain cities when obstructing the operation of streetcar vehicles or jeopardizing public safety.
Sponsors: Representatives Thomas, Reed, Scott, Fitzgibbon, Ryu, Parshley, Macri, Street, Pollet and Obras.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows certain cities to have their authorized representatives direct the impoundment of vehicles obstructing streetcar operations, if the vehicle is within the right-of-way used for streetcar operations.
Hearing Date: 1/26/26
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:

Unauthorized vehicles may be impounded by a registered tow truck operator (RTTO) at the direction of a law enforcement officer or other public official with jurisdiction, if the vehicle is on public property, or at the direction of the property owner or an agent.  A vehicle is deemed unauthorized if it is left unattended in certain public or private locations.  A vehicle is immediately considered an unauthorized vehicle and subject to removal if it is:

  • determined by a police officer to be an accident or traffic hazard; 
  • in a publicly owned or controlled parking facility with proper posted signage;
  • on residential property;
  • on private, nonresidential property with proper posted signage; or
  • within the right-of-way used by a Regional Transit Authority for high capacity transportation where the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to the operation of high capacity transportation vehicles or jeopardizes public safety.

 

The City of Seattle is the only city in Washington with a population greater than 700,000.
Summary of Bill:

A vehicle is considered an unauthorized vehicle and is subject to immediate removal by an RTTO if it is left unattended within a right-of-way used by a city with a population greater than 700,000 for streetcar operations, where the vehicle obstructs the operation of a streetcar vehicle or jeopardizes public safety.  An authorized representative of a city with a population greater than 700,000 may request an impound for this type of unauthorized vehicle.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.