The bill establishes a new section in chapter 47.79 RCW that emphasizes the importance of intercity passenger rail as a key component of Washington's transportation system. It recognizes the role of intercity rail in achieving the state's climate, public health, equity, and mobility goals, particularly as the state continues to grow. The legislation sets forth specific target goals for the Amtrak Cascades service to be met by 2035, including increasing on-time performance to a minimum of 88%, providing a minimum of 14 round trips per day between Seattle and Portland, and enhancing multimodal connectivity at stations. Additionally, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with state objectives.

The bill mandates that the department prioritize these goals in its project development work, which includes coordination with host railroads and other partners. It also requires annual reporting to the legislature on progress towards these targets, detailing any constraints that may hinder achievement and potential mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the joint transportation committee is tasked with conducting an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades 2024 preliminary service development plan, with a final report due by June 1, 2027, to assess the plan's technical aspects and public engagement strategies.