SB 5374, from Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D–Kent), requires that counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) engage with impacted tribal governments when preparing their transportation plans.

Currently, GMA counties and cities must make intergovernmental coordination efforts that include an assessment of the impacts of the transportation plan and land use assumptions on the transportation systems of “adjacent jurisdictions.” The phrase adjacent jurisdictions does not specifically include affected tribal governments.

Per the bill, intergovernmental coordination efforts within the transportation element of local comprehensive plans must include affected tribal governments, including an assessment of the transportation impacts on affected tribal areas.

The proposal also directs the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to establish a tribal traffic safety coordinator program to assist tribes in implementing traffic safety strategies and appropriates $1 million from the highway safety fund for the program.

Finally, the bill directs that the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council may include a representative from a tribal government.

AWC seeks feedback from cities on the potential impacts of the proposed legislation.

Date to remember

SB 5374 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on January 27 at 4 pm.