Bill > SB6331

This bill mandates the Washington State Department of Transportation to contract for the acquisition of at least three clean diesel ferry vessels, each capable of carrying 125 to 140 vehicles and up to 1,200 passengers, with a delivery deadline of December 31, 2032, and allows for multiple contract procurement approaches to speed up delivery, requiring input from the maritime shipbuilding industry before issuing requests for proposals. The bill also introduces a 13% credit for vessels constructed within Washington state, reflecting economic losses and additional costs associated with out-of-state construction, and permits various procurement methods including design-build, design-bid-build, and lease-with-option-to-buy agreements, with specific approval requirements for the latter. Furthermore, it modifies existing laws to allow for these new procurement procedures, including exceptions to certain standard bidding requirements, and mandates reporting on any potential project delivery issues. The bill also includes provisions for the use of third-party experts for oversight and advisory roles, and specifies that certain sections of the act will take effect immediately while others will take effect on July 1, 2026, with some sections expiring on July 1, 2026.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6331&Year=2025&Initiative=false