Bill > HB1418

This bill modifies the composition of governing bodies for public transportation benefit areas by adding two new voting members who are transit users. Specifically, the bill allows for two additional voting members to be appointed to the governing body of a public transportation benefit area, with one member primarily relying on public transportation and the other representing a community-based organization and occasionally using public transit. These transit-using members cannot be employees of the transit agency and are subject to specific requirements, including being appointed by the elected official voting members. The bill stipulates that for single-county areas, the governing body can now have up to 11 voting members (increased from 9), and for multicounty areas, up to 17 voting members (increased from 15). To support these new members' participation, the bill requires that governing body meetings be held at times and locations accessible by transit, and that the transit-using members receive comprehensive training on open meetings, public records, and ethics laws. The provision does not apply to transportation benefit areas that already have retained citizen positions on their governing body. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, aiming to increase direct transit user representation in transportation governance.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1418&Year=2025&Initiative=false