SB 5374, which would have required counties and cities to engage with impacted tribal governments when preparing transportation plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA), failed to gain House approval when it did not advance to the floor for a vote ahead of the opposite house cutoff on April 16.
However, given its unanimous support in the Senate, the bill is expected to return next session.
The House Local Government Committee had amended SB 5374 to direct counties working on transportation plans with tribal governments to follow certain coordination processes and making them eligible for technical assistance and facilitation services, but the bill otherwise remained the same as the version the Senate passed.
Nevertheless, the House Rules Committee did not advance it to the floor in time for cutoff.
City transportation plans may need to begin issuing tribal impact assessments
March 21, 2025
SB 5374 cleared its house of origin and is scheduled for a hearing in the House. The bill, which requires that counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) engage with impacted tribal governments when preparing their transportation plans, was amended since AWC wrote about it last.
Now it tasks the Traffic Safety Commission with awarding grant funds to Tribes to implement the Tribal Traffic Safety Coordinator Program and provide program support to Tribes for specified traffic safety activities. The new language also clarifies that program funds used to create comprehensive traffic safety programs addressing a community’s unique needs must also be tailored to incorporate indigenous knowledge. Finally, a budget appropriation is no longer included in the bill.
While none of the amended language has direct impacts to GMA planning cities and towns, the overall legislation does. It provides that intergovernmental coordination efforts within the transportation element of local comprehensive plans must include affected tribal governments, and an assessment of the transportation impacts on affected tribal areas.
SB 5374 has momentum: it moved quickly through the Senate, passing by a unanimous vote. Contact AWC staff with your questions, comments, or concerns about the bill.
Date to remember
SB 5374 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 26 at 8 am.
City transportation planning to include tribal impact assessment under new proposal
January 24, 2025
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.