Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5820: Freight rail dependent use
Status: Signed into law, March 30, 2026
Concerning the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan.
What the bill says
An act Relating to the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan; and amending RCW 36.70A.060 and 36.70A.108.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan; and amending RCW 36.70A.060 and 36.70A.108. Sec. 1. RCW 36.70A.060 and 2023 c 225 s 2 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) Each county that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040, and each city within such county, shall adopt development regulations on or before September 1, 1991, to assure the conservation of agricultural, forest, and mineral resource lands designated under RCW 36.70A.170. Regulations adopted under this subsection may not prohibit uses legally existing on any parcel prior to their adoption and shall remain in effect until the county or city adopts development regulations pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040. Such regulations shall assure that the use of lands adjacent to agricultural, forest, or mineral resource lands shall not interfere with the continued use, in the accustomed manner and in accordance with best management practices, of these designated lands for the production of food, agricultural products, or timber, or for the extraction of minerals. ((Any county located to the west of the crest of the Cascade mountains that has both a population of at least four hundred thousand and a border that touches another state, and any city in such county, may …
Sponsors
- Adrian Cortes (D) · primary sponsor
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 247, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 54; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 5.
- : 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 3, 2026): 54 yea, 39 nay, passed
- House Committee on Local Government: Do pass (February 20, 2026): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Local Government: Do pass (January 29, 2026): 3 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Common questions
- What is SB5820?
- SB5820 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Freight rail dependent use.
- What does SB5820 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to the responsibility of certain counties to include freight rail dependent use overlay as part of the transportation element of their comprehensive plan; and amending RCW 36.70A.060 and 36.70A.108.
- What is the status of SB5820?
- Signed into law as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5820?
- Adrian Cortes (D), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5820?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5820&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.