Washington HB2517: High cap. transit permits

What the bill says

An act Relating to enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects; amending RCW 36.70B.170, 58.17.040, 58.17.040, and 36.70B.070; adding new sections to chapter 81.112 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects; amending RCW 36.70B.170, 58.17.040, 58.17.040, and 36.70B.070; adding new sections to chapter 81.112 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. Sec. 1. RCW 36.70B.170 and 1995 c 347 s 502 are each amended to read as follows: (1) A local government may enter into a development agreement with a person having ownership or control of real property within its jurisdiction. A city may enter into a development agreement for real property outside its boundaries as part of a proposed annexation or a service agreement. A development agreement must set forth the development standards and other provisions that shall apply to and govern and vest the development, use, and mitigation of the development of the real property for the duration specified in the agreement. A development agreement shall be consistent with applicable development regulations adopted by a local government planning under chapter 36.70A RCW, except that a development agreement with a regional transit authority created under chapter 81.112 RCW may set forth development standards that vary from otherwise applicable development regulations in order to accommodate development of the facilities of the regional transit authority. (2) RCW 36.70B.170 through 36.70B.190 and section 501, chapter 347, Laws of 1995 do not affect the validity of a contract …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Joe Fitzgibbon (D) · primary sponsor
• Julia Reed (D)
• Lawrence Springer (D)
• April Berg (D)
• Davina Duerr (D)
• Cindy Ryu (D)
• Janice Zahn (D)
• Shelley Kloba (D)
• Liz Berry (D)
• Shaun Scott (D)
• Brianna Thomas (D)
• Kristine Reeves (D)

Latest actions

1. February 9, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
2. February 9, 2026: Minority; without recommendation.
3. February 9, 2026: Minority; do not pass.
4. February 9, 2026: APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
5. February 9, 2026: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
6. February 6, 2026: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
7. February 4, 2026: Referred to Appropriations.
8. February 3, 2026: Minority; without recommendation.
9. February 3, 2026: LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
10. February 3, 2026: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.

Votes

• House Committee on Appropriations: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Local Government (February 9, 2026): 18 yea, 11 nay, passed
• House Committee on Local Government: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2517?

HB2517 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): High cap. transit permits.

What does HB2517 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to enhanced municipal permitting tools for high capacity transit projects; amending RCW 36.70B.170, 58.17.040, 58.17.040, and 36.70B.070; adding new sections to chapter 81.112 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

What is the status of HB2517?

In committee as of February 9, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Rules 2 Review. (February 9, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2517?

Joe Fitzgibbon (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2517?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2517&Year=2025