New law allows local governments to invest in trails, pathways

Local governments in Washington will soon be able to use revenue from new developments to build trails and pathways for bicyclists, pedestrians and other nonmotorized forms of transportation after Senate Bill 5452 was signed into law.

The bill, which state senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) co-sponsored, allows local governments to use impact fee revenue to fund the construction of bicycle and pedestrian pathways. It goes into effect July 23.

Impact fees are local government-assessed charges on developers that are used to pay for the cost of providing public facilities – like roads, schools and parks – for the new development. Currently, impact fees can only be used to fund bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure that’s part of a street or road. This bill allows local governments to build and maintain infrastructure for nonmotorized vehicles with that money.

Shewmake said in a statement that she was excited to see what local governments choose to build now with the passing of the bill.

“Places for people to walk and bike are such an important part of a livable and vibrant community,” Shewmake said in the statement. “This bill will give cities and towns a new option for how they can fund this sort of good infrastructure for our growing communities. We can build better ways to get to work or school, run errands and safely get some exercise, without raising taxes or fees.”

The bill says such transportation and commuting options allows local governments to provide numerous benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing connection between communities and job centers. 

To view the final bill, go to bit.ly/3HXw1EF.