HB1814 • 2026

SEPA/trails and paths

Streamlining certain decisions pertaining to the development or extension of a trail or path from the state environmental policy act.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Fitzgibbon, Representative Duerr, Representative Berry, Representative Parshley, Representative Ramel, Representative Macri
Last action: 2026-01-12
Official status: H Local Govt
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

SEPA/trails and paths

What This Bill Does

SEPA/trails and paths

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 184

104 • Klicker

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 184 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for a license for the development or extension of a trail or path eligible for exemption from State Environmental Policy Act requirements to request meaningful consultation with any county potentially affected by the proposed trail or path prior to submitting the application, which includes discussion of the potential impacts to cultural resources and tribal treaty rights.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 184 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for a license for the development or extension of a trail or path eligible for exemption from State Environmental Policy Act requirements to request meaningful consultation with any county potentially affected by the proposed trail or path prior to submitting the application, which includes discussion of the potential impacts to cultural resources and tribal treaty rights.
1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 184 HB 1814 - H AMD 104 By Representative Klicker WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, at the beginning of line 1, insert "and county" --- END

1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 185

105 • Klicker

ADOPTED

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 185 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires that notice of a proposed trail, path, or extension that qualifies for an exemption from State Environmental Policy Act requirements must be posted at both ends and in the middle of the proposed trail, path, or extension for at least 30- days prior to the final decision on the proposal.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 185 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires that notice of a proposed trail, path, or extension that qualifies for an exemption from State Environmental Policy Act requirements must be posted at both ends and in the middle of the proposed trail, path, or extension for at least 30- days prior to the final decision on the proposal.
1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 185 HB 1814 - H AMD 105 By Representative Klicker ADOPTED 03/08/2025 On page 1, line 18, after "(2)" insert "In addition to any other notice required by state or local law or regulation, a project exempted from compliance with this chapter under this section must post notice of the proposed trail, path, or extension on the property that will be used for the trail, path, or extension for at least 30- days prior to the action that will give final approval to the trail, path, or extension.
This notice must be posted at both ends and in the middle of the proposed trail, path, or extension.
(3)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 201

234 • Klicker

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 201 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires a maintenance plan and funding for controlling weeds, bug infestations, safety hazards, and litter pick up, for any trail or path granted an exemption from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 201 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires a maintenance plan and funding for controlling weeds, bug infestations, safety hazards, and litter pick up, for any trail or path granted an exemption from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act.
1814 AMH KLIC RUSM 201 HB 1814 - H AMD 234 By Representative Klicker WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "(3)" insert the following: "Any trail or path granted an exemption must include a maintenance plan and funding to control noxious weeds, bug infestations, safety hazards, and litter pick up.
(4)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

1814 AMH CONN RUSM 203

252 • Connors

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH CONN RUSM 203 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant to consider public transportation connections when developing a trail otherwise exempt from State Environmental Policy Act requirements.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH CONN RUSM 203 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant to consider public transportation connections when developing a trail otherwise exempt from State Environmental Policy Act requirements.
1814 AMH CONN RUSM 203 HB 1814 - H AMD 252 By Representative Connors WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "(3)" insert "An applicant must consider connections to public transportation when developing any trail under this section.
(4)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

1814 AMH ABBA RUSM 199

319 • Abbarno

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH ....

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH ....
RUSM 199 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for the development or extension of a trail or path otherwise categorically exempted from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to address landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic uses or occupation, list professional studies conducted at the development site to identify such resources, and include plans to avoid, minimize, or compensate for loss, changes to, or disturbances to resources.
1814 AMH ABBA RUSM 199 HB 1814 - H AMD 319 By Representative Abbarno WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "(3)" insert "Notwithstanding the exemption in subsection (1) of this section, an applicant must address whether there are any landmarks, features, or other evidence of Indian or historic uses or occupation.
This may include human burials or old cemeteries, and whether there is any material evidence, artifacts, or areas of cultural importance on or near the development site.

1814 AMH DENT RUSM 197

333 • Dent

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH DENT RUSM 197 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for the development or extension of a trail or path otherwise categorically exempted from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to identify views in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development that will be altered or obstructed and propose measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH DENT RUSM 197 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for the development or extension of a trail or path otherwise categorically exempted from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to identify views in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development that will be altered or obstructed and propose measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts.
1814 AMH DENT RUSM 197 HB 1814 - H AMD 333 By Representative Dent WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "(3)" insert "Notwithstanding the exemption in subsection (1) of this section, an applicant must identify what views in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development will be altered or obstructed, and proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any.
(4)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

1814 AMH DYEM RUSM 198

337 • Dye

WITHDRAWN

Plain English: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH DYEM RUSM 198 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for the development or extension of a trail or path otherwise categorically exempted from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to identify light or glare the development will produce, including light or glare that could be a safety hazard, and propose measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1814 AMH DYEM RUSM 198 1 - Official Print EFFECT: Requires an applicant for the development or extension of a trail or path otherwise categorically exempted from compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to identify light or glare the development will produce, including light or glare that could be a safety hazard, and propose measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts.
1814 AMH DYEM RUSM 198 HB 1814 - H AMD 337 By Representative Dye WITHDRAWN 03/08/2025 On page 2, line 15, after "(3)" insert "Notwithstanding the exemption in subsection (1) of this section, an applicant must identify what type of light or glare the proposed development will produce, including whether the light or glare from the finished development could be a safety hazard or interfere with views, and proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any.
(4)" Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
END

Bill History

2026-01-12 House
Referred to Local Government.

Official Summary Text

SEPA/trails and paths

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

AN ACT Relating to streamlining certain decisions pertaining to 1
the development or extension of a trail or path from the state 2
environmental policy act; and adding a new section to chapter 43.21C 3
RCW. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.21C 6
RCW to read as follows: 7
(1) Decisions pertaining to the development or extension of a 8
trail or path are categorically exempted from compliance with this 9
chapter, and may not be subject to county or city ordinances or other 10
regulations imposing equivalent requirements, if: 11
(a) The surface area of the proposed new trail or path or 12
extension to an existing trail or path does not exceed 10 acres; and13
(b) The proposed new trail or path or extension to an existing 14
trail or path is located in whole or in part on a railroad right-of-15
way designated for interim trail use under 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1247 and 16
within a city with a population of 500,000 or more.17
(2)(a) At the earliest possible date prior to the submittal of an 18
application for a state or local license for the development or 19
extension of a trail or path under this section, an applicant must 20
request meaningful consultation with any federally recognized tribe 21
H-1102.1
HOUSE BILL 1814
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Fitzgibbon, Duerr, Berry, Parshley, Ramel, and
Macri
Read first time 02/04/25. Referred to Committee on Local Government.
p. 1 HB 1814
that may be potentially affected by the proposed new trail or path or 1
extension to an existing trail or path. Meaningful consultation must 2
include discussion of the potential impacts to cultural resources and 3
tribal treaty rights. 4
(b) An applicant must notify the affected federally recognized 5
tribe of the proposed development using at least two methods, 6
including by mail. Upon receiving a notice, the federally recognized 7
tribe may initiate consultation to determine whether an agreement can 8
be reached related to the development or extension of a trail or 9
path. If an agreement is not reached, the parties must enter 10
mediation. The exemption provided by this section shall take effect 11
if the affected federally recognized tribe does not initiate 12
consultation within 90 days of receipt of the written notice required 13
by this subsection. 14
(3) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this 15
section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.16
(a) "Extension to an existing trail or path" includes an addition 17
to an existing trail or path that connects two existing segments of 18
the trail or path. 19
(b) "Trail" and "path" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 20
47.30.005. 21
(4) Improvements covered by this exemption include utilities and 22
support infrastructure for trails and paths, including street 23
improvements and crossings, lighting, signage, and surface water 24
drainage, but not unrelated infrastructure improvements.25
(5) This section is additional to and does not amend categorical 26
exemptions adopted by rule under RCW 43.21C.110(1)(a).27
--- END ---
p. 2 HB 1814