The Next Big Step for a Seattle Subway

Part 3 of a three-part series

Seattle Subway goes to the Legislature.

[UPDATE: The hearing has been moved to February 9th. There is no updated link at this time.]

We're very excited to announce HB 1304, a bill to enable local rapid transit funding, is now live with its first hearing scheduled on Wednesday, February 3rd 9th at 10 am. This bill will give Seattle the tools we need to build a citywide, high quality transit system the right way. The system the city has dreamed of ever since the Bogue plan was presented in 1911.

HB 1304 will help us solve a lot of problems:

• Long range planning and expandability: we can plan for a complete system, not just one line at a time. That will also help us avoid disruptive, and expensive, do-overs. It also puts us in prime position to attract federal investments.
• Enable strategic land acquisition. Instead of the surprise property acquisition budget hole we're facing in ST3, Sound Transit land holdings can be an asset that helps us fund the system.
• Plug the ST3 funding gap to keep ST3 complete and on time. This can also include supplement funding of the system down the road as need. It's about funding the gap between what Seattle needs and what Sound Transit is able to fund.
• Kickstart planning to improve equity by connecting more of Seattle, far sooner than what the regional process will produce.
• Ensure future expansion lines in Seattle will be fast, frequent, and reliable by funding new lines without traffic crossings.

HB 1304 will update the existing City Transportation Authority (monorail) statute to provide a pathway for Seattle to fund Sound Transit expansion. It improves governance to mirror the very successful Seattle Transportation Benefit District. It requires a system plan for equitable Transit Oriented Development and creates a rebate program for people with lower incomes. In short, it takes an unused law from our past and fixes it to help us prepare for the future.

Now that our bill is scheduled, we need people to submit written testimony in support.

1. Click here to submit testimony
2. Select Committee: Local Government"
3. Select Meeting: Select 2/3/2021 10AM"
4. Select Agenda Item: HB 1304 Grade Separated Transport"
5. Select type of testimony: I would like to submit written testimony."
6. You will be sent to another page.
7. Select Position: Pro"
8. Fill out your information
9. Write your testimony (limit 5000 characters)
10. Submit Testimony

The case for HB 1304

Thank you very much to the bill's sponsors, Representatives David Hackney, Liz Berry, Frank Chopp, Joe Fitzgibbon, Nicole Macri, Steve Bergquist, and Gerry Pollet. And thanks to all of you who have supported high quality transit expansion in Seattle and all the efforts that lead up to this bill.