SB 5974, Addressing Transportation Resources

The Climate Active Transportation Account (CATA) is created and the account, beginning July 1, 2023, will receive 24 percent of the revenues accruing each year under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Account. The account is allowed to retain its own interest. The allowable uses from the CATA are limited to:

- Safe Routes to Schools;
- School-Based Bike programs;
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Grants;
- The Complete Streets grant program;
- The Connecting Communities grant program; and
- Pedestrian and bicycle, or other active transportation projects identified in an omnibus transportation appropriations act.

The Climate Transit Programs Account (CTPA) is created in the state treasury and the account, beginning July 1, 2023, will receive 56 percent of the revenues accruing each year to the CERA. The account is allowed to retain its own interest. The allowable uses from CTPA are limited to:

- Transit Support grants;
- Tribal Transit Mobility grants;
- Transit Coordination grants;
- Special Needs Transit grants;
- Bus and Bus Facility grant program;
- Green transit grants;
- Transportation Demand Management grants; and
- transit projects identified in an omnibus transportation appropriations act.

The expenditures from the CATA and CTPA are made subject to the same environmental justice assessment and investment for vulnerable populations within overburdened communities requirements as other Climate Commitment Act funding.

The Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council is created, to be jointly led by Washington DOT (WSDOT) and the Department of Commerce. The Council must:

- develop a statewide electrification strategy to ensure readiness for all new vehicle sales;
- identify all electric vehicle infrastructure grant related funding;
- coordinate electric vehicle grant funding criteria across agency grant programs;
- develop a robust public and private outreach plan;
- create an industry electric vehicle advisory committee; and
- ensure grants, program, and activities benefit vulnerable and overburdened communities.

A target is established that all passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later be electric vehicles, and requires the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council to complete a scoping plan for achieving the 2030 target.

All state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022 that are $500,000 or more must incorporate principles of complete streets design. WSDOT must identify locations on state rights of way that have inadequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, consult with local jurisdictions to confirm existing and planned active transportation connections for integration of the state route to the local network, and modify speed limits appropriate to roadway design and local context.

Commute trip reduction grants are for local jurisdictions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the busiest commute routes flowing. Local jurisdictions work with employers, who develop and manage their own programs based on locally adopted goals. These programs help more commuters ride transit, carpool, vanpool, walk, bicycle and telework. The grants support more than 1,000 worksites and more than 500,000 workers statewide. These workers left about 22,000 cars at home every weekday and outperformed the state and national averages for options other than driving alone.

Transportation Demand Management Grants

The Washington State Legislature established the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program (SWCCP) to improve active transportation connectivity for people walking, biking and rolling along and across current and legacy state highways (RCW 47.04.380). 

This program serves communities with high equity needs. These are communities most affected by barriers to opportunity and environmental health disparities. Lawmakers named the program to honor Sandy Williams. Williams was a community leader in Spokane who advocated to reconnect her African American neighborhood after the construction of Interstate 90 through the city of Spokane split it in half.

Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program

All state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022 that are $500,000 or more must incorporate principles of complete streets design. WSDOT must identify locations on state rights of way that have inadequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, consult with local jurisdictions to confirm existing and planned active transportation connections for integration of the state route to the local network, and modify speed limits appropriate to roadway design and local context.

Complete Streets Design Requirements

The Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) was established in 2022 to enable state agencies to collaborate on accelerating electric vehicle adoption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The EV Council includes members of 10 state agencies who play a central role in the statewide effort to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Agency members coordinate on policy development, program implementation, and funding opportunities so that all Washington residents can enjoy the benefits of EVs.

Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EVCC)

Target of 100% light-duty vehicles sold, purchased, or registered in the state be electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EVCC)

Action History

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