This past week, state legislators in Olympia commenced the 2026 Washington Legislative Session. One of the bills under consideration is House Bill 2307, a bill which if approved, would modernize Washington’s Commute Trip Reduction Law by removing the 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. start time requirement.
What is the Commute Trip Reduction law
Commute Trip Reduction is a state law adopted in 1991 with the goal of reducing traffic congestion and air pollution by shifting drive-alone commutes to other modes. Certain employers are required to provide commute benefits to their employees, like transit passes, vanpool subsidies, or bike benefits.
Under the current law, worksites in Washington’s nine most populus counties (King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Clark, Thurston, Kitsap, Yakima, and Whatcom Counties) are affected by the CTR law if they have 100 or more affected employees,defined as full-time, year-round employees that start their workday between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Why HB 2307 was introduced
Commutes look a lot different today than in 1991. More people commute off-peak, as flexible work schedules have been adopted across industries.
HB 2307 proposes making a small adjustment to the existing law by striking the 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. start time requirement. This change reflects the reality of modern commutes, ensuring that people continue to receive transportation benefits even if they start their shift off-peak.
This change would also mean that more workers who are vital to keeping our city and state running, like workers in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing industries would now have access to commute benefits that help them get to work in a more sustainable, affordable way.
Passing HB 2307 would extend commute support to shift workers, health care staff, and many other employees who are currently excluded from this program simply because their jobs start outside of the 6 am – 9 am window.
Good for workers, good for business, good for communities.
More than just reducing traffic, CTR makes the lives of working Washingtonians easier.
According to WSDOT, CTR:
- Prevents 313,000 metric tons of vehicle pollutants, increasing air quality
- Saved surveyed workers $135M in gasoline costs and $142M in parking fees yearly
- Increases commuter safety, as public transportation riders are less likely to be involved in a traffic collision
Our Seattle Commute Survey shows that people who commute by non drive-alone modes report higher satisfaction, influencing employee morale, performance, and retention, which can save businesses on recruitment costs.
Businesses that champion CTR benefits are seen as positively benefitting their communities by improving air quality for all residents and reducing traffic congestion.
If approved, HB 2307 would help more workers save money on their commutes, and ensure more people have access to job opportunities through reliable and affordable transportation benefits.
What happens next
HB 2307 is currently scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation on January 21. You can support HB 2307 by submitting a positive written testimony or sign on pro.