House Bill 2688: Relating to transportation policy goals

Washington House Bill 2688, introduced in the 2020 legislative session, proposes updating the state's transportation policy goals to prioritize accessibility, environmental justice, public health, and climate by replacing older goals focused primarily on economic vitality and mobility. The bill would require transportation projects to undergo a multi-agency evaluation—including input from vulnerable and impacted communities—before receiving budget authorization. Projects that do not meet a minimum score based on the new policy goals would generally be excluded from funding.

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Washington State House Bill 2688 amends RCW 47.04.280 to revise the state’s transportation policy goals, replacing the previous framework with new goals emphasizing accessibility, safety, environment and climate, health and resilience, equity and environmental justice, preservation, and economic vitality. The bill also adds a new section requiring any transportation project to undergo an evaluation guided by these goals before budget authorization, with results published publicly. The evaluation must involve multiple state agencies and include a public input process inclusive of vulnerable populations.

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