HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5161
As Passed House - Amended:
April 2, 2025
Title: An act relating to transportation fiscal matters.
Brief Description: Addressing transportation fiscal matters.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Liias, King and Nobles; by request of Office of Financial Management).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
None.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/2/25, 66-30.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill
(As Amended by House)
  • Makes biennial transportation appropriations totaling $15.5 billion for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium.
  • Reduces existing transportation appropriations for the 2023-25 fiscal biennium by $1.2 billion, from $14.5 billion to $13.3 billion.
Background:

The state government operates on a fiscal biennium that begins July 1 of each odd-numbered year.  Supplemental budgets are typically enacted in each of the following two years after adoption of the biennial budget.  Appropriations are made in the biennial and supplemental transportation budgets for the operation and capital expenses of state transportation agencies and programs.
Summary of Amended Bill:

Appropriations totaling $15.5 billion are made for state transportation agencies and programs for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium from a number of transportation accounts.  Capital-related appropriations total $9 billion, and operating-related appropriations total $6.5 billion.  Appropriations for the fiscal biennium include:  $11.6 billion for the Washington State Department of Transportation, $1.8 billion for debt service, $777 million for the Washington State Patrol, and $466 million for the Department of Licensing.  Fund transfers and other provisions are made.  

 

Appropriations are adjusted for state transportation agencies and programs for the 2023-25 fiscal biennium.  Overall appropriations are reduced by $1.2 billion from $14.5 billion to $13.3 billion.  Capital program appropriations are reduced by $878 million, and operating program appropriations are reduced by $356 million.  Fund transfers and other provisions are adjusted.

 

Additional details can be found at https://fiscal.wa.gov.
Appropriation: This bill contains multiple appropriations.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.