Bill
SB 5716
Extends unlawful transit conduct laws to Washington State Ferries, applying the same penalties (misdemeanor; up to 90 days’ jail or $1,000) to ferries and ferry terminals.
Executive overview
SB 5716 expands the locations where a person can be charged with unlawful transit conduct by explicitly including the Washington State Ferries (WSF) as a transit authority. The bill maintains existing penalties and definitions, extending them to ferries and related facilities to align WSF with other transit systems in Washington.
Purpose and intent
- Main aim: Allow unlawful transit conduct to be charged in the Washington State Ferries system, just as it currently can on other transit authorities (cities, counties, regional districts).
- Rationale offered in testimony: WSF is a major ferry system with increasing ridership; aligning WSF with other transit authorities helps keep riders and vessels safe.
Key provisions and changes
- Adds WSF to the list of transit authorities covered by RCW 9.91.025 (Unlawful Transit Conduct).
- Definitions updated to reflect inclusion of the Washington State Ferries:
- Transit vehicle: includes ferry boats owned/operated by a transit authority or entities providing service on their behalf.
- Transit station/facility: all passenger facilities used to provide public transportation.
- Transit authority: now explicitly includes WSF among other transit entities.
- Existing offenses remain unchanged (15 listed conduct types, e.g., smoking outside designated areas, littering, possessing unissued fare media, obstructing traffic, harassment, etc.).
- Penalties: Unlawful transit conduct remains a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
- Appropriations: None.
- Fiscal note: Not requested.
Effective date and timing
- Effective date: 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill was passed.
- In practice for SB 5716: Effective July 27, 2025 (as reflected in final legislative actions).
Affected parties and impact
- Affected entities: Washington State Ferries, ferry passengers, ferry employees, and any persons at WSF ferries or ferry terminals.
- Practical impact: WSF facilities and ferries will be subject to the same unlawful transit conduct standards as other transit systems, enabling enforcement of the same misdemeanor provisions.
Legislative history (highlights)
- Introduced: February 10, 2025
- Passed Senate: March 10, 2025
- Passed House: April 11, 2025 (and related actions through April)
- Governor signed: May 12, 2025
- Chapter: 234, 2025 Laws; effective 7/27/2025
Public testimony
- Support: Representative testimony highlighted safety and parity with other transit authorities.
- Opposition: None reported.
Notes
- The amendments are technical, focusing on extending existing unlawful transit conduct provisions to include WSF as a transit authority, with no changes to the core offenses or penalties.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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