WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESB 5581

SB 5581: Safe system approach strat.

Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.

Summary

  • Integrates shared-use paths that are part of a state or local active transportation plan into certain highway planning, design, and construction.
  • Defines the term roundabout, and updates definitions for crosswalk and intersection within the context of roundabouts.
  • Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to identify existing or planned active transportation facilities on publicly or tribally owned property and determine if such facility provides equal or better access to destinations and is an appropriate network connection providing mitigation in lieu of fulfilling Complete Streets requirements on state rights-of-way, subject to a cooperative agreement and certain conditions.
  • Authorizes the WSDOT to implement Complete Streets requirements on Safe Routes to School Program, Connecting Communities Program, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Grant Program recipients, when there are changes on state rights-of-way.

From the Engrossed House Bill Report (ESB 5581), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 30, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 28, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 12, 2025
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Sharon Shewmake (D-42)
Introduced
January 30, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 12, 2026
Companion bill
HB 1992
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5581, ESB 5581

AN ACT Relating to implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Sharon Shewmake (D-42)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Marko Liias D-21T'wina Nobles D-28Javier Valdez D-46

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 12, 2025
Version voted on: ESB 5581
29 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican01900
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 21, 2026
Version voted on: ESB 5581
30 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican01900
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESB 5581)
  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESB 5581)
  3. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (ESB 5581)
  4. Minority; without recommendation. (ESB 5581)
  5. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5581)
  6. TR - Majority; do pass. (ESB 5581)
  7. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESB 5581)
  8. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESB 5581)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESB 5581)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5581)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESB 5581)
  12. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESB 5581)
  13. Rules suspended. (ESB 5581)
  14. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee. (ESB 5581)
  15. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESB 5581)
  16. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESB 5581)
  17. Minority; without recommendation. (ESB 5581)
  18. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5581)
  19. TR - Majority; do pass. (ESB 5581)
  20. TR - Executive action taken by committee. (ESB 5581)
  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESB 5581)
  22. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESB 5581)
  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESB 5581)
  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5581)
  25. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESB 5581)
  26. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESB 5581)
  27. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5581)
  28. TRAN - Majority; do pass. (ESB 5581)
  29. First reading, referred to Transportation. (ESB 5581)

SB 5581 in other sessions

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

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