Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 8 D cosponsors

SB 5581 — Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

Last action — By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 30, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (8 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

498 added · 484 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 5581 has added the phrase "public transportation providers" to the list of groups considered in the bill, which now includes bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. This change broadens the scope of the bill to better address the needs of all individuals who rely on various forms of transportation. Additionally, some language has been streamlined for clarity without altering the meaning. These adjustments are important as they enhance the bill's focus on creating safer and more inclusive transportation environments.

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S-0931.1 SENATE BILL 5581 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Shewmake, Liias, Nobles, and Valdez Read first time 01/30/25.
ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 5581 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Shewmake, Liias, Nobles, and Valdez Read first time 01/30/25.
1 SB 5581 the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of active transportation facilities.
1 ESB 5581 the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of active transportation facilities.
2 SB 5581 for trails or active transportation of the state or any of its political subdivisions, replacement land, space, or facilities shall be provided and where such recreational trails or shared-use paths exist at the time of taking, reconstruction of said recreational trails or shared-use paths shall be undertaken.
2 ESB 5581 for trails or active transportation of the state or any of its political subdivisions, replacement land, space, or facilities shall be provided and where such recreational trails or shared-use paths exist at the time of taking, reconstruction of said recreational trails or shared-use paths shall be undertaken.
3 SB 5581 Sec.
3 ESB 5581 Sec.
4 SB 5581 the highway at the nearest and farthest edges of the opening, not to exceed a distance of 50 feet from the intersection area;
4 ESB 5581 the highway at the nearest and farthest edges of the opening, not to exceed a distance of 50 feet from the intersection area;
5 SB 5581 number of wheels, and the use of small personal devices such as foot scooters or skateboards.
5 ESB 5581 number of wheels, and the use of small personal devices such as foot scooters or skateboards.
(10) "Complete streets" means an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enable safe access along and across the street for all people, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
(10) "Complete streets" means an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enable safe access along and across the street for all people, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, public transportation providers, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
(11) "County road." Every highway as herein defined, or part thereof, outside the limits of incorporated cities and towns and which has not been designated as a state highway, or branch thereof;
6 SB 5581 (12) "Crosswalk." The portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ((ten)) 10 feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crosswalk.
6 ESB 5581 (11) "County road." Every highway as herein defined, or part thereof, outside the limits of incorporated cities and towns and which has not been designated as a state highway, or branch thereof;
(12) "Crosswalk." The portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ((ten)) 10 feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crosswalk .
In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection;
In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 p.
7 ESB 5581 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection;
p.
(15) "Intersection control area." The intersection area as herein defined, together with such modification of the adjacent roadway area as results from the arc or curb corners and together with any marked or unmarked crosswalks adjacent to the intersection;
7 SB 5581 (15) "Intersection control area." The intersection area as herein defined, together with such modification of the adjacent roadway area as results from the arc or curb corners and together with any marked or unmarked crosswalks adjacent to the intersection;
(27) "Personal wireless service." Any federally licensed personal wireless service;
p.
(28) "Personal wireless service facilities." Unstaffed facilities that are used for the transmission or reception, or both, of personal p.
8 ESB 5581 (27) "Personal wireless service." Any federally licensed personal wireless service;
8 SB 5581 wireless services including, but not necessarily limited to, antenna arrays, transmission cables, equipment shelters, and support structures;
(28) "Personal wireless service facilities." Unstaffed facilities that are used for the transmission or reception, or both, of personal wireless services including, but not necessarily limited to, antenna arrays, transmission cables, equipment shelters, and support structures;
(37) "Safe system approach" means an internationally recognized holistic and proactive approach to road safety intended to systematically reduce fatal and serious injury crash potential;
p.
9 ESB 5581 (37) "Safe system approach" means an internationally recognized holistic and proactive approach to road safety intended to systematically reduce fatal and serious injury crash potential;
Safe roads, safe speeds, safe p.
Safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road users, and postcrash care.
9 SB 5581 vehicles, safe road users, and postcrash care.
(((43))) (44) "Structurally deficient." A state bridge that is classified as in poor condition under the state bridge condition rating system and is reported by the state to the national bridge inventory as having a deck, superstructure, or substructure rating of four or below.
(((43))) (44) "Structurally deficient." A state bridge that is classified as in poor condition under the state bridge condition rating system and is reported by the state to the national bridge inventory as having a deck, superstructure, or substructure rating of p.
10 ESB 5581 four or below.
Bridges deemed structurally deficient typically require significant maintenance and p.
Bridges deemed structurally deficient typically require significant maintenance and repair to remain in service, and require major rehabilitation or replacement to address the underlying deficiency;
10 SB 5581 repair to remain in service, and require major rehabilitation or replacement to address the underlying deficiency;
(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway, or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control devices.
(1) The state department of transportation and the local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway, or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one p.
p.
11 ESB 5581 direction at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control devices.
11 SB 5581 (2) Upon a roadway so designated for one-way traffic, a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control devices.
(2) Upon a roadway so designated for one-way traffic, a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control devices.
NEW SECTION.
p.
12 ESB 5581 NEW SECTION.
p.
PART III COMPLETE STREETS Sec.
12 SB 5581 PART III COMPLETE STREETS Sec.
RCW 47.04.035 and 2022 c 182 s 418 are each amended to read as follows:
RCW 47.04.035 and 2025 c 417 s 901 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) In order to improve the safety, mobility, and accessibility of state highways, it is the intent of the legislature that the department must incorporate the principles of complete streets with facilities that provide street access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users, notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 47.24.020 concerning responsibility beyond the curb of state rights-of-way.
(1) In order to improve the safety, mobility, and accessibility of state highways, it is the intent of the legislature that the department must incorporate the principles of complete streets with facilities that provide street access with all users in mind, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation providers, and public transportation users, notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 47.24.020 concerning responsibility beyond the curb of state rights-of-way.
As such, state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022, and that are $500,000 or more, must:
As such, state transportation projects (a) starting design between July 1, 2022, and July 31, 2025, that are $500,000 or more, and (b) starting design on or after August 1, 2025, that are $1,000,000 or more, must:
(a) Identify those locations on state rights-of-way that do not have a complete and Americans with disabilities act accessible sidewalk or shared-use path, that do not have bicycle facilities in the form of a bike lane or adjacent parallel trail or shared-use path, that have such facilities on a state route within a population center that has a posted speed in excess of 30 miles per hour and no buffer or physical separation from vehicular traffic for pedestrians and bicyclists, and/or that have a design that hampers the ability of motorists to see a crossing pedestrian with sufficient time to stop given posted speed limits and roadway configuration;
(i) Identify those locations on state rights-of-way that do not have a complete and Americans with disabilities act accessible sidewalk or shared-use path, that do not have bicycle facilities in the form of a bike lane or adjacent parallel trail or shared-use path, that have such facilities on a state route within a population center that has a posted speed in excess of 30 miles per hour and no buffer or physical separation from vehicular traffic for pedestrians and bicyclists, and/or that have a design that hampers the ability of motorists to see a crossing pedestrian with sufficient time to stop given posted speed limits and roadway configuration;
(b) Consult with local jurisdictions to confirm ((existing)):
(ii) Consult with local jurisdictions and public transportation providers to confirm ((existing)):
identification of connections to existing and planned public transportation services, ferry landings, commuter and passenger rail, and airports;
identification of connections to existing and planned public transportation services and facilities, ferry landings, commuter and passenger rail, and airports;
(c) Adjust the speed limit to a lower speed with appropriate modifications to roadway design and operations to achieve the desired operating speed in those locations where this speed management approach aligns with local plans or ordinances, particularly in those contexts that present a higher possibility of serious injury or fatal crashes occurring based on land use context, observed crash data, p.
p.
13 SB 5581 crash potential, roadway characteristics that are likely to increase exposure, or a combination thereof, in keeping with a safe system approach and with the intention of ultimately eliminating serious and fatal crashes;
13 ESB 5581 (iii) Adjust the speed limit to a lower speed with appropriate modifications to roadway design and operations to achieve the desired operating speed in those locations where this speed management approach aligns with local plans or ordinances, particularly in those contexts that present a higher possibility of serious injury or fatal crashes occurring based on land use context, observed crash data, crash potential, roadway characteristics that are likely to increase exposure, or a combination thereof, in keeping with a safe system approach and with the intention of ultimately eliminating serious and fatal crashes;
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((and)) (d) Plan, design, and construct facilities providing context- sensitive solutions that contribute to network connectivity and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people accessing public transportation and other modal connections, such facilities to include Americans with disabilities act accessible sidewalks or shared-use paths, bicyclist facilities, and crossings as needed to integrate the state route into the local network ;
((and)) (iv) Plan, design, and construct facilities providing context- sensitive solutions that contribute to network connectivity and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people accessing public transportation and other modal connections, such facilities to include Americans with disabilities act accessible sidewalks or shared-use paths, bicyclist facilities, and crossings as needed to integrate the state route into the local network .
and (e) Identify any existing or planned active transportation facility on publicly owned or tribally owned property.
In the planning and design phases, complete streets projects must consider current and planned public transit services and facilities;
and (v) Identify any existing or planned active transportation facility on publicly owned or tribally owned property.
(i) The facility is identified in an adopted local or tribal active transportation plan, trails plan, or other relevant plan, or community engagement specific to the corridor is undertaken that engages users of the facility most directly impacted by the decisions and that provides the basis for a future update to the local plan;
(A) The facility is identified in an adopted local or tribal active transportation plan, trails plan, or other relevant plan, or community engagement specific to the corridor is undertaken that engages users of the facility most directly impacted by the decisions and that provides the basis for a future update to the local plan;
(ii) The facility considered as an alternative must meet or exceed the department's standards for design in compliance with this section;
(B) The facility considered as an alternative must meet or exceed the department's standards for design in compliance with this section;
(iii) The jurisdiction or tribe having responsibility for the facility ensures the real property is free of encumbrances, including utilities;
(C) The jurisdiction or tribe having responsibility for the facility ensures the real property is free of encumbrances, including utilities;
and (iv) The facility must provide equivalent or better safety improvements in decreasing the exposure, likelihood, and severity of crashes involving vulnerable road users.
and p.
(2)(a) If the cost of financial participation in construction or improvements needed to meet the requirements of subsection (1)(e)(ii) of this section is deemed reasonable by the department, and if use of state funds does not supplant programmed funding previously committed to the project, the department may use funds for the complete streets p.
14 ESB 5581 (D) The facility must provide equivalent or better safety improvements in decreasing the exposure, likelihood, and severity of crashes involving vulnerable road users.
14 SB 5581 project to participate in the project on the local or tribal system and to construct and provide necessary wayfinding connections from the state highway to the local or tribal facility.
(2)(a) If the cost of financial participation in construction or improvements needed to meet the requirements of subsection (1)(b)(v)(B) of this section is deemed reasonable by the department, and if use of state funds does not supplant programmed funding previously committed to the project, the department may use funds for the complete streets project to participate in the project on the local or tribal system and to construct and provide necessary wayfinding connections from the state highway to the local or tribal facility.
Upon completion of the project, any improvements are the ongoing responsibility of the local jurisdiction or tribe, which is responsible for maintaining the quality of facilities identified in the agreement under subsection (1)(e) of this section.
Upon completion of the project, any improvements are the ongoing responsibility of the local jurisdiction or tribe, which is responsible for maintaining the quality of facilities identified in the agreement under subsection (1)(b)(v) of this section.
This may include consideration of participation in local agency or tribal projects involving state rights-of-way to satisfy complete streets design requirements, subject to a cooperative agreement as described in subsection (1)(e) of this section.
This may include consideration of participation in local agency or tribal projects involving state rights-of-way to satisfy complete streets design p.
15 ESB 5581 requirements, subject to a cooperative agreement as described in subsection (1)(b)(v) of this section.
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(1) Concurrent with the federal safe, accountable, flexible, efficient transportation equity act of 2005, a safe routes to school program is established within the department.
15 SB 5581 (1) Concurrent with the federal safe, accountable, flexible, efficient transportation equity act of 2005, a safe routes to school program is established within the department.
RCW 47.04.380 and 2024 c 106 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
RCW 47.04.380 and 2025 c 417 s 710 are each amended to read as follows:
(a) Providing safe, continuous routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonvehicle users carrying out their daily activities;
p.
16 ESB 5581 (a) Providing safe, continuous routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonvehicle users carrying out their daily activities;
and p.
and (d) Facilitating the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve the connectivity and safety of the active transportation network.
16 SB 5581 (d) Facilitating the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve the connectivity and safety of the active transportation network.
and (iv) People with disabilities;
and p.
17 ESB 5581 (iv) People with disabilities;
and p.
and (g) Identified need by the community, for example in the state active transportation plan or a regional, county, or community plan.
17 SB 5581 (g) Identified need by the community, for example in the state active transportation plan or a regional, county, or community plan.
(((6))) (7) The Sandy Williams connecting communities program account is created in the state treasury.
Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
Expenditures from the account may be used only for the program activities described in this section.
(((7))) (8) Beginning September 2027, by the last day of September, December, March, and June of each year, the state treasurer shall transfer $3,125,000 from the multimodal transportation account created in RCW 47.66.070 to the Sandy Williams connecting communities program account created in this section.
(2) Project types may include, but are not limited to, bicycle facilities such as buffered bike lanes, pedestrian facilities such as sidewalks, crossing improvements for people who walk and roll, and speed management.
(2) Project types may include, but are not limited to, bicycle facilities such as buffered bike lanes, pedestrian facilities such as p.
18 ESB 5581 sidewalks, crossing improvements for people who walk and roll, and speed management.
18 SB 5581
19 ESB 5581
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Action History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  3. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  4. Minority; without recommendation.

  5. Minority; do not pass.

  6. TR - Majority; do pass.

  7. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:00 PM.

  8. Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

  9. First reading, referred to Transportation.

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  13. Returned to second reading for amendment.

  14. Rules suspended.

  15. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

  16. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  17. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  18. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

  20. Minority; do not pass.

  21. TR - Majority; do pass.

  22. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

  23. Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

  24. First reading, referred to Transportation.

  25. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  26. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  27. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  28. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  29. Minority; do not pass.

  30. TRAN - Majority; do pass.

  31. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

  32. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

  33. First reading, referred to Transportation.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 143 not signed on · 19 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (7)

Not signed on (143)

143 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 143 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21)

Passed 30 Yea · 19 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 01900
Total 301900
% of votes cast 61%39%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21)

Passed 29 Yea · 19 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 29001
Republican 01900
Total 291901
% of votes cast 59%39%0%2%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Not Voting
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Nay
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety environment transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5581?
SB 5581 is sponsored by T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Sharon Shewmake (Democrat), and Javier Valdez (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5581?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 30, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 5581?
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