Bill
SB 6283
Eliminates the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities sunset, making the program permanent; preserves its equity-focused active-transport goals with no new funding.
Status and basics
- Bill: Senate Bill 6283
- Title: An act relating to eliminating the expiration date for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities program
- Sponsor: Nobles, Billig, Shewmake, Holy, King, Liias, Lovick, Wilson C., Wilson J., Valdez, Kauffman, Hawkins, Lovelett, Padden, Fortunato, Cleveland, Trudeau, Frame, Hasegawa, Kuderer, Saldaña, Stanford
- Introduced: January 19, 2024
- Effective date: June 6, 2024 (90 days after adjournment of the session)
- Status: Enacted; Chapter 106, 2024 Laws
- Effective date as enacted: 6/6/2024
- Appropriation: None
- Fiscal note: Not requested
Overview
SB 6283 eliminates the expiration date of the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program, ensuring the program continues beyond the originally set expiration of July 1, 2027. The program was created to improve safe, continuous routes for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-vehicle users in communities split by state highways.
What the bill would do
- Remove the sunset: The existing expiration for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program would be removed, making the program permanent within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) framework.
- Maintain program purpose: The program’s goals remain to improve active transportation connectivity, provide safe routes, mitigate disconnections caused by transportation facilities, invest in greenways, and support planning and implementation of connectivity projects.
- No new appropriations: The bill does not include new funding.
- Effective date: Takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill passes ( enacted date June 6, 2024).
Background and rationale
- Creation and goal: The program was created in 2022 as part of Move Ahead Washington to increase safe, continuous routes for active transportation in communities bisected by current or former highways.
- Pilot history: It began as a two-biennia pilot (2023–25 and 2025–27) administered by WSDOT, prioritizing:
- Overburdened or vulnerable communities
- Proximity to tribal lands
- Low-income areas
- Areas with crash history involving pedestrians/bicyclists
- Selection criteria emphasize equity, community need, and engagement with minority- or women-owned businesses.
Who is affected
- WSDOT administers the program; affected parties include communities and organizations seeking funding for connecting-transportation projects.
- Impacted groups include vulnerable populations and communities historically impacted by transportation infrastructure inequities (e.g., BIPOC communities, low-income neighborhoods, and communities adjacent to tribal lands).
Procedural timeline and legislative actions
- House and Senate action in early 2024 culminated in final passage and enrollment.
- Governor signed on March 14, 2024; Chapter 106, 2024 Laws.
- Effective date for the statute: June 6, 2024.
Key provisions (highlights)
- Elimination of the July 1, 2027 expiration for the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program.
- No new appropriation attached to the bill.
- Program remains governed by RCW 47.04.380 and continued reporting/eligibility criteria as established during the program’s inception, with emphasis on equity and community engagement.
Impact considerations
- Permanently codifies a program aimed at reducing transportation-related disparities.
- Keeps the focus on active transportation connectivity for vulnerable communities, including those near tribal lands and lower-income populations.
- No immediate funding changes or new revenue authority are created by SB 6283.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
