December 16, 2025

All Aboard Washington's 2026 Legislative Priorities - Updated

Approved by vote of AAWA Board of Directors October 11, 2025. Draft revision January 6, 2026.

  1. Propose and support Washington state legislation in support of Montana’s Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) Corridor Identification Program (CID)for restoration of passenger rail service in Washington via the Stampede Pass route. We support the use of Climate Commitment Act funding for the required state match,.
    --Stampede Pass is the preferred route in Washington state for restoration of passenger rail service through central Washington as recommended by the Federal Railroad Administration in their January 2025 report to Congress. Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study Report to Congress
    --The legislature has previously approved studies in 2001 and 2020 to restore service to eastern and central Washington, per RCW 47.79 (1993)
    .

  2. Establish a passenger rail advisory committee as proposed by HB 2092. We support this legislation, and urge that this committee be expanded to include representation from eastern and central Washington.

  3. Support full funding and implementation of Amtrak Cascades service standards as specified by ESHB 1837.

  4. Support options to create permanent funding sources, including matching CCA funds to include all qualified Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Programs in WA State for all passenger rail operations.