This bill creates a new section in chapter 47.20 RCW that declares the failure and permanent closure of the Fairfax bridge on April 22, 2025, an emergency and directs the department to restore access on state route number 165 across the Carbon River as soon as possible. It is a new statutory provision and takes effect immediately. The new section grants the secretary emergency authority to expedite planning and construction of a replacement for the Fairfax bridge, including authority to waive or suspend specified statutory obligations or limitations in order to accelerate work. The secretary must give as much notice as practical to the governor, the legislative leadership of the transportation committees, and impacted local governments when issuing orders under this section. Activities and projects performed to implement this section are not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 25-07 as referenced in the text. Affected entities named in the text include the department and the secretary, the Department of Labor and Industries (inspection fees referenced), the Utilities and Transportation Commission (regulations, tariffs, and notice requirements referenced), the governor, legislative transportation leaders, impacted local governments, state agencies subject to orders or rules, entities in interlocal agreements, and federal funding authorities. The text provided does not define who "the department" or "the secretary" are, does not specify the mechanism, duration, or oversight for exercising waiver or suspension authority, does not include the content of Executive Order 25-07, and does not show how the new section will interact with other provisions of chapter 47.20 RCW.

If enacted, the state will push to restore vehicle access across the Carbon River on state route 165 quickly after the Fairfax bridge’s permanent closure on April 22, 2025, and the transportation secretary will be given authority to speed planning and construction by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. That will likely accelerate contracting and construction activity, change the timing of inspections and permitting, and exempt those actions from Executive Order 25-07, but the practical limits and oversight of those waivers are not specified in the extracted text. The department and the secretary will carry new emergency responsibilities and may spend or obligate funds faster than under normal processes; Labor and Industries inspection fees, Utilities and Transportation Commission rules or notice requirements, local governments, and entities in interlocal agreements could see altered timelines, costs, or procedural obligations. Federal funding rules and First Amendment protections are noted as possible limits on waivers, and the text does not make clear which specific statutes can be suspended, for how long, or what review will apply, leaving key implementation and oversight details uncertain.