TVW VIDEO: Friday’s State House bipartisan passage of ESHB 1923, “Mosquito Fleet Act”
Sunday, March 9, 2025
by Jeff Noedel
A TVW VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
On Friday, the Washington State House of Representatives passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1923 with bipartisan support.
The Mosquito Fleet Act — authored by State Rep. Greg Nance (D-Bainbridge Island) is meant to help spawn new passenger-only ferry services at local levels around Puget Sound and Grays Harbor.
The bill faced an extreme uphill battle until it was amended in the House Transportation Committee so as to strip out State funding. With the State looking to axe billions from its budget, it was a bad time to propose even $50 in new spending.
Advocates of the original bill, which was intended to cause the State to put up $50 million over two years, were disappointed to see the funding removed. But others still advocate for the bill; they perceive the bill as a policy commitment by the state, acknowledging the need for more “walk-on” ferry options across Puget Sound.
The day before the bill passed the House, Gov. Bob Ferguson indicated that he has been communicating with Rep. Nance, and the idea of State involvement in fostering more nimble walk-on ferry options might earn his support in next year’s supplemental session.
Creating the most favorable possible climate for new walk-on ferry services run by counties, cities and towns, port authorities, or ferry taxing districts — possibly in the form of public-private partnerships with entrepreneurial captains — sparks the imagination of some. They theorize that new routes (Friday Harbor to Bellingham, for instance) integrated with land-based transit could greatly improve quality-of-life for San Juans residents.
Here are video timepoints at the beginning of each of two amendments and then the “third reading” and passage of the bill in the House of Representatives.
(14:47) Speaker Pro Tem Chris Stearns open consideration of ESHB 1923, the engrossed
(15:30) Amendment 255 is considered, meant to address protections for southern resident whales. Republican Rep. Andrew Barkis spoke in favor of the amendment. The amendment is adopted.
(18:15) Amendment 253 is considered, meant to narrow the jurisdiction of the bill to Puget Sound and Grays Harbor. Republican Jim Walsh spoke in favor of the amendment. The amendment was adopted.
(20:05) Third reading of the bill begins.
(20:35) The bill’s author, Democrat Rep. Greg Nance, offers opening remarks.
(22:25) Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier speaks in favor of the bill, but explains why some of her Republican colleagues will vote no.
(23:55) Republican Rep. Ed Orcutt spoke against the bill. He said it might be possible to “stack” multiple taxing districts in one location. He implied he might support the bill if it could be amended to prevent “stacking” of taxing districts in one place.
(26:05) Republican Rep. Mike Volz spoke in favor of the bill because it would not spend state money to build local ferry districts.
(27:30) Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier rose again to thank Rep. Nance for consulting Republicans and working with them to improve the bill.
(27:58) Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Chris Corry spoke in favor of the bill, humorously referring to his father’s many emails lobbying for the bill. David Corry, Rep. Corry’s father, is a resident of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. He cited the stranding of school students in the San Juans when WSF ferry service fails.
(28:50) Speaker Pro Tem started “the roll call machine” and in less than one minute the bill received 87 yea votes and 8 nay votes, passing the House with bipartisan support.
(29:45) end
