summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT Relating to county ferry district authority; amending RCW 2 36.54.120, 36.54.130, and 36.54.135; and reenacting and amending RCW 3 47.60.120. 4
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws concerning county ferry districts to allow them to operate and finance any type of ferry service, not just "passenger-only" ferries, and clarifies their authority to construct, purchase, operate, and maintain ferry facilities. It also adjusts the tax levy limits for ferry districts, with a specific provision for districts in counties with a population of 1,500,000 or more, and allows these districts to incur general indebtedness and issue bonds for ferry-related projects, with repayment potentially funded by tax revenues. Additionally, the bill revises regulations regarding the distance between state-operated ferry crossings or toll bridges and other ferry services, allowing the Washington utilities and transportation commission to grant waivers from this restriction under certain conditions, and clarifies that these distance restrictions do not apply to ferry districts operating any type of ferry service.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Senate Rules "X" file. (on 02/26/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5839&Year=2025&Initiative=false |
| Shewmake 5839-S AMS SHEW S5308.1 | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Amendments/Senate/5839-S%20AMS%20SHEW%20S5308.1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - 5839 SB (Final) | https://fnspublic.ofm.wa.gov/FNSPublicSearch/GetPDF?packageID=75652 |
| BillText | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5839-S.pdf |
| Senate bill report | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5839%20SBR%20TRAN%20OC%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5839%20SBR%20TRAN%20TA%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report (orig.) | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5839%20SBA%20TRAN%2026.pdf |
| BillText | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5839.pdf |
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