Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2436: Oil tanker escort
Status: Signed into law, March 16, 2026
Concerning requirements of oil tankers operating in restricted waters.
What the bill says
An act Relating to requirements of oil tankers operating in restricted waters; and amending RCW 88.16.190.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to requirements of oil tankers operating in restricted waters; and amending RCW 88.16.190. Sec. 1. RCW 88.16.190 and 2019 c 289 s 2 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Any oil tanker, whether enrolled or registered, of greater than ((one hundred twenty-five thousand))125,000 deadweight tons shall be prohibited from proceeding beyond a point east of a line extending from Discovery Island light south to New Dungeness light, unless authorized by the United States coast guard, pursuant to 33 C.F.R. Sec. 165.1303. (2)(a)(i) An oil tanker of ((forty))40,000 to ((one hundred twenty-five thousand))125,000 deadweight tons may operate in the waters east of a line extending from Discovery Island light south to New Dungeness light and all points in the Puget Sound area, including but not limited to the San Juan Islands and connected waterways and the waters south of Admiralty Inlet, to the extent that these waters are within the territorial boundaries of Washington, only if the oil tanker is under the escort of a tug or tugs that have an aggregate shaft horsepower ((equivalent to))of at least 3,000 or five percent of the deadweight tons of the escorted oil tanker, whichever is greater. (ii) Effective September 1, 2020, the following may operate in Rosario Strait and connected waterways to the east only if under the …
Sponsors
- Debra Lekanoff (D) · primary sponsor
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Chris Stearns (D)
- Gerry Pollet (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 64, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : 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 5, 2026): 46 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Transportation: Do pass (February 27, 2026): 16 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Environment & Energy: Do pass (February 2, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: VESSELS AND NAVIGATION
Common questions
- What is HB2436?
- HB2436 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Oil tanker escort.
- What does HB2436 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to requirements of oil tankers operating in restricted waters; and amending RCW 88.16.190.
- What is the status of HB2436?
- Signed into law as of March 16, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2436?
- Debra Lekanoff (D), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2436?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2436&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.