This bill establishes a new section in chapter 47.79 RCW focused on prioritizing improvements to intercity passenger rail services in Washington, particularly the Amtrak Cascades route. The legislature recognizes the importance of intercity passenger rail as a vital component of the state's transportation system, contributing to climate, public health, equity, and mobility goals. To enhance service, the bill sets specific targets to be achieved by 2035, including reducing trip times between Seattle and Portland to 2 hours and 30 minutes with 14 roundtrips daily, and between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, to 2 hours and 45 minutes with 5 roundtrips daily. Additionally, it aims for a minimum on-time performance reliability of 88%.

The bill mandates that the department prioritize these targets in its project development work, which includes infrastructure investments and coordination with host railroads and service partners. If the department encounters constraints that hinder achieving these targets, it is required to provide detailed explanations and potential mitigation strategies in its annual reports to the legislature. The department must update the transportation committees on its progress towards these targets by December 1st each year, ensuring transparency and accountability in the improvement of intercity passenger rail services.