The Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing this week on a proposal to reduce enforcement of jaywalking in the state.
The proposal comes as transportation advocates argue jaywalking laws disproportionately impact minorities and unhoused residents and can lead to unnecessary interactions with police.
Sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, Senate Bill 5385 would allow pedestrians to cross a roadway “as long as such a crossing does not impede the flow of traffic.”
Saldaña first proposed the legislation during the 2023 session, though it failed to advance out of the Senate.
If passed, SB5383 would prohibit law enforcement from enforcing “unless the pedestrian is in violation of suddenly leaving a curb or place of safety to move into the path of a vehicle so that it is impossible for the driver to stop.”
During her testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee, Saldaña said cities like Seattle have already “deprioritized” enforcement.
“In part because there’s more urgent needs,” she said.