WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5281

SB 5281: Vessel length/nonresident

Changing the vessel length requirement in obtaining nonresident vessel permits.

Summary

  • Increases the allowable maximum length of nonresident vessels that are commercially owned or intended for chartering purposes, for the purposes of obtaining a nonresident vessel permit from the Department of Licensing, from 200 to 300 feet.
  • Requires a fee for a nonresident vessel permit for commercially owned vessels between 201 and 300 feet of $100 per foot of vessel length, beginning May 1, 2026.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5281), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 244, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedJan 15, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 7, 2025
  3. Passed SenateFeb 19, 2025
  4. Passed HouseApr 15, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 12, 2025
  6. LawMay 12, 2025
Prime sponsor
Mike Chapman (D-24)
Introduced
January 15, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
May 12, 2025
Session law
Chapter 244, Laws of 2025
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5281, SSB 5281, ESSB 5281

AN ACT Relating to nonresident vessel permits;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Mike Chapman (D-24)

5 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 2 Republicans)

Curtis King R-14Marko Liias D-21Paul Harris R-17T'wina Nobles D-28Sharon Shewmake D-42

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 19, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5281
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (48)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 15, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5281
94 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58100
Republican36201
How each member voted

Yea (94)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 9/1/2025. (ESSB 5281)
  2. Chapter 244, 2025 Laws. (ESSB 5281)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5281)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5281)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5281)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5281)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5281)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5281)
  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5281)
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5281)
  11. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5281)
  12. TR - Majority; do pass. (ESSB 5281)
  13. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESSB 5281)
  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5281)
  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5281)
  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5281)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5281)
  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  19. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5281)
  20. Placed on second reading.
  21. Placed on second reading consent calendar. (ESSB 5281)
  22. Placed on second reading consent calendar.
  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5281)
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  25. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5281)
  26. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  27. First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 5281 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