Bridge collisions

AN ACT Relating to creating a work group to make recommendations 1
concerning bridge collisions by large commercial vessels; creating a 2
new section; and providing an expiration date. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The vessel bridge collision work group 5
is created, composed of the following members:6
(a) A representative of the Washington state department of 7
transportation, who shall chair the work group; 8
(b) A representative of the Oregon department of transportation;9
(c) A representative of Columbia river pilots;10
(d) A representative of Puget Sound pilots; 11
(e) A representative of the Washington state board of pilotage 12
commissioners; 13
(f) A representative of the United States coast guard;14
(g) A representative of the United States army corps of 15
engineers; 16
(h) A representative of the Washington state emergency management 17
division specializing in emergency planning; and 18
(i) A representative of local government specializing in 19
emergency planning. 20
S-0340.1
SENATE BILL 5248
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators J. Wilson and Liias
Read first time 01/14/25. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
p. 1 SB 5248
(2) The work group shall review the impact resistance of 1
Washington state bridges that might be vulnerable to large commercial 2
vessel collisions, and provide recommendations regarding how to both 3
reduce collisions and lessen the impacts of collisions. The 4
recommendations must include near, medium, and long-term 5
recommendations, and the estimated costs of each recommendation.6
(3) The work group must submit a report with relevant 7
recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature 8
by July 1, 2026. 9
(4) Nonlegislative members are not entitled to be reimbursed for 10
travel expenses if they are elected officials or are participating on 11
behalf of an employer, governmental entity, or other organization. 12
Any reimbursement for other nonlegislative members is subject to 13
chapter 43.03 RCW. 14
(5) The Washington state department of transportation and the 15
Washington emergency management division shall jointly provide staff 16
support for coordinating and administering the work group and 17
technical assistance as requested by work group members.18
(6) At the direction of the work group, and as resources allow, 19
consultants may be hired to assist with the efforts of the work 20
group. 21
(7) For purposes of this section, "large commercial vessels" 22
means vessels that (a) carry cargo or passengers for a fee and (b) 23
are more than 1,300 gross tons (international) or exceed 200 feet in 24
overall length. 25
(8) This section expires December 31, 2026. 26
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p. 2 SB 5248