Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1980: Employer transp. services
Status: Signed into law, March 17, 2026
Allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities.
What the bill says
An act Relating to allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities; and amending RCW 47.52.025 and 46.61.165.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities; and amending RCW 47.52.025 and 46.61.165. Sec. 1. RCW 47.52.025 and 2023 c 290 s 8 are each amended to read as (ii) passenger charter carrier vehicles regulated under chapter 81.70 RCW, except marked or unmarked stretch limousines and stretch sport utility vehicles as defined under department of licensing rules; (iii) private nonprofit transportation provider vehicles regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW; and (iv) private employer transportation service vehicles, when such limitation will increase the efficient utilization of the highway facility or will aid in the conservation of energy resources. Regulations authorizing such exclusive or preferential use of a highway facility may be declared to be effective at all time or at specified times of day or on specified days. (2)(a) Any transit-only lanes that allow other vehicles to access abutting businesses that are reserved pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may not be authorized for the use of private transportation provider vehicles as described under subsection (1) of this section, except as provided in (b) of this subsection (2). (b)(i) In counties with a population over 2,000,000 persons, local authorities may, with the approval of the public transportation provider or providers, authorize two-year pilot programs that grant a fee-for-use permit that meets requirements …
Sponsors
- Janice Zahn (D) · primary sponsor
- Osman Salahuddin (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Lawrence Springer (D)
- Joe Timmons (D)
- Chipalo Street (D)
- April Berg (D)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- My-Linh Thai (D)
- Sam Low (R)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 81, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 6, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Transportation: Do pass (February 27, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 15, 2026): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2025): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Transportation: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 27, 2025): 27 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Common questions
- What is HB1980?
- HB1980 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Employer transp. services.
- What does HB1980 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities; and amending RCW 47.52.025 and 46.61.165.
- What is the status of HB1980?
- Signed into law as of March 17, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1980?
- Janice Zahn (D), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1980?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1980&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.