Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5690: Utility relocation
Status: Signed into law, March 18, 2026
Concerning utility relocation.
What the bill says
An act Relating to actions of the department of transportation to notify utility owners of projects and seek federal funding for utility relocation costs; and amending RCW 47.44.160.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to actions of the department of transportation to notify utility owners of projects and seek federal funding for utility relocation costs; and amending RCW 47.44.160. Sec. 1. RCW 47.44.160 and 2021 c 258 s 5 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The department is directed to adopt and maintain an agency policy that requires the department to proactively provide broadband facility and utility owners with information about planned state highway projects to enable collaboration between broadband facility and utility owners and the department to identify opportunities for the installation of broadband facilities and utilities during the appropriate phase of these projects when such opportunities exist. (2) If no owners are ready or able to participate in coordination of the installation of broadband infrastructure concurrently with state highway projects, the department may enlist its contractors to install broadband conduit as part of road construction projects in order to directly benefit the transportation system and motor vehicle users (b) Supporting the vehicle miles traveled reduction and congestion management goals of the state by allowing for more telework; or (c) Proactively preparing the transportation system for the widespread development and use of autonomous vehicles. (3) Broadband facility owners must first obtain a franchise granted by the department pursuant to RCW 47.44.010 and 47.44.020 before installing broadband facilities within …
Sponsors
- Drew MacEwen (R) · primary sponsor
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- Ron Muzzall (R)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 106, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 6, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Transportation: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Transportation: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5690 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass (February 5, 2026): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Transportation: Do pass as amended (April 4, 2025): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 4, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: UTILITIES
Common questions
- What is SB5690?
- SB5690 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Utility relocation.
- What does SB5690 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to actions of the department of transportation to notify utility owners of projects and seek federal funding for utility relocation costs; and amending RCW 47.44.160.
- What is the status of SB5690?
- Signed into law as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5690?
- Drew MacEwen (R), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5690?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5690&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.