Bill > HB1324

This bill aims to modify how revenues from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) can be used for transportation infrastructure projects. Specifically, the bill allows climate commitment act auction revenues to be used for major highway and bridge projects, including replacing the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River, completing the US 395 North Spokane corridor, finishing the State Route 520 bridge, and the Gateway freight project connecting State Route 509 and 167. The legislature argues that since public transit and zero-emissions vehicles use roads, and highway congestion increases greenhouse gas emissions, using these revenues for road and bridge projects is consistent with the act's original intent. The bill makes several technical changes to existing law, including modifying how auction proceeds can be distributed across different state accounts. Starting in fiscal year 2025, the legislature intends to transfer funding from climate commitment act accounts to the multimodal transportation account, with 50% of any additional auction proceeds beyond obligated amounts to be directed to transportation infrastructure. The bill includes an emergency clause and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, reflecting the legislature's view that these changes are necessary for maintaining and improving the state's transportation system.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1324&Year=2025&Initiative=false