WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 2588

HB 2588: County ferry districts

Concerning county ferry district authority.

Summary

  • Allows Whatcom County to construct, purchase, operate, and maintain passenger-only or auto ferries.
  • Makes ad valorem property tax increases greater than 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value subject to a vote of the people in counties with a population less than 1,500,000 people.
  • Requires county ferry districts to establish ferry district advisory committees.

From the Engrossed Senate Bill Report (EHB 2588), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 187, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 20, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 9, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 13, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 6, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 24, 2026
  6. LawMar 24, 2026
Prime sponsor
Joe Timmons (D-42)
Introduced
January 20, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 24, 2026
Session law
Chapter 187, Laws of 2026
Versions
HB 2588, EHB 2588

AN ACT Relating to county ferry district authority;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Joe Timmons (D-42)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Alex Ramel D-40Debra Lekanoff D-40

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 13, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2588
73 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 6 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat55202
Republican181704
How each member voted

Yea (73)

Permalink to this vote

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

Passed March 6, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2588
30 Yea 17 Nay 1 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29010
Republican11701
How each member voted

Absent (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 11, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2588
56 Yea 40 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat55301
Republican13701
How each member voted

Yea (56)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (EHB 2588)
  2. Chapter 187, 2026 Laws. (EHB 2588)
  3. Governor signed. (EHB 2588)
  4. President signed. (EHB 2588)
  5. Delivered to Governor. (EHB 2588)
  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 56; nays, 40; absent, 0; excused, 2. (EHB 2588)
  7. House concurred in Senate amendments. (EHB 2588)
  8. Speaker signed. (EHB 2588)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1. (EHB 2588)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2588)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (EHB 2588)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (EHB 2588)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 2588)
  14. Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 2588)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2588)
  16. TRAN - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (EHB 2588)
  17. First reading, referred to Transportation. (EHB 2588)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 73; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 6. (EHB 2588)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2588)
  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 2588)
  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (EHB 2588)
  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (EHB 2588)
  23. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2588)
  24. Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 2588)
  25. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2588)
  26. TR - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2588)
  27. Referred to Transportation. (EHB 2588)
  28. LG - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2588)
  29. Minority; do not pass. (EHB 2588)
  30. Minority; without recommendation. (EHB 2588)
  31. LG - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2588)
  32. First reading, referred to Local Government. (EHB 2588)

HB 2588 in other sessions

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

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