WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 1837

HB 1837: Intercity passenger rail

Establishing intercity passenger rail improvement priorities.

Summary

  • Establishes target goals for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for Amtrak Cascades service for the number of roundtrips per day, trip reliability, improvements to first- and last-mile connections, and emissions reduction for Amtrak Cascades service between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • Requires the WSDOT to prioritize these target goals as it conducts project development work, including as part of its efforts funded by federal passenger rail grant programs.
  • Mandates that the WSDOT provide legislative updates annually on progress working towards the target goals, and requires the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades Preliminary Service Development Plan and related documents by December 31, 2026, with a final report due by June 1, 2027.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 1837), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 363, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedFeb 4, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 28, 2025
  3. Passed HouseMar 12, 2025
  4. Passed SenateApr 16, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 19, 2025
  6. LawMay 19, 2025
Prime sponsor
Julia Reed (D-36)
Introduced
February 4, 2025 in the House
Last action
May 19, 2025
Session law
Chapter 363, Laws of 2025
Companion bill
SB 5667
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1837, SHB 1837, ESHB 1837

AN ACT Relating to establishing intercity passenger rail improvement priorities;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Julia Reed (D-36)

16 co-sponsors (15 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Beth Doglio D-22Mari Leavitt D-28Liz Berry D-36Lisa Parshley D-22Darya Farivar D-46Jamila Taylor D-30Alex Ramel D-40Joe Fitzgibbon D-34Janice Zahn D-41Brianna Thomas D-34Nicole Macri D-43Dan Bronoske D-28Andrew Barkis R-2Shaun Scott D-43Gerry Pollet D-46Greg Nance D-23

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 12, 2025
Version voted on: ESHB 1837
68 Yea 29 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican102900
How each member voted

Yea (68)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed April 16, 2025
Version voted on: ESHB 1837
32 Yea 17 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican21700
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed April 21, 2025
Version voted on: ESHB 1837
65 Yea 32 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican73200
How each member voted

Yea (65)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025. (ESHB 1837)
  2. Chapter 363, 2025 Laws. (ESHB 1837)
  3. Governor signed. (ESHB 1837)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESHB 1837)
  5. President signed. (ESHB 1837)
  6. Speaker signed. (ESHB 1837)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 65; nays, 32; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 1837)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (ESHB 1837)
  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 1837)
  10. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESHB 1837)
  11. Third reading, passed; yeas, 32; nays, 17; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESHB 1837)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 1837)
  13. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1837)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 1837)
  15. TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESHB 1837)
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESHB 1837)
  17. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESHB 1837)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 68; nays, 29; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 1837)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 1837)
  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 1837)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 1837)
  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  23. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESHB 1837)
  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 1837)
  26. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  27. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 1837)
  28. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 1837)
  29. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 1837)
  30. Minority; without recommendation.
  31. Minority; do not pass.
  32. TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  33. TR - Executive action taken by committee.
  34. First reading, referred to Transportation.

HB 1837 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

Report wrong or missing information on this page