Posted on January 19, 2026
State senators in Olympia are pushing a bill that would permanently block Washington state money from paying for fully automated container-handling equipment at public ports, a move that could reshape how the Seattle-Tacoma gateway modernizes its terminals and that has longshore workers firmly in its corner. The proposal would still allow state grants for zero- and near-zero-emission gear as long as people are operating it, while explicitly cutting off public funding for equipment defined as fully automated. Lawmakers, port officials, and labor leaders say the measure forces a clear choice between protecting maritime jobs and embracing new automated technology in the name of efficiency or emissions cuts.
What the Bill Would Change
Senate Bill 5995, prefiled on Jan. 6 and read for the first time on Jan. 12 in the 69th Legislature, would amend RCW 53.58.010 so that port districts can buy zero- and near-zero-emission cargo-handling equipment but cannot use port moneys to purchase “fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment,” according to the Washington State Legislature. The bill defines “fully automated” as equipment that is remotely operated or remotely monitored, with or without human intervention. Supporters say that wording is meant to keep public subsidies from speeding up installations that could displace dockworkers.
Labor Backing and Politics
The bill has drawn public support from longshore workers, who argue that automation threatens jobs at the docks, as reported by the Journal of Commerce. Labor groups have repeatedly urged federal and state agencies not to subsidize automation projects that could lead to layoffs, and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, told the Maritime Administration it opposed funding automation for that reason. Expect the fight to draw partisan attention in Olympia as legislators try to balance labor concerns with port competitiveness and climate goals.
Ports and Industry Pushback
Port leaders have warned that tight restrictions on funding could interfere with efficiency upgrades and emissions-reduction projects, and ports pushed back on similar limits in past sessions, the Washington Public Ports Association noted in 2021. Those industry objections centered on how tying zero-emission grants to constraints on automation could shrink the toolbox for ports that are trying to electrify and clean up their operations. Trade and terminal operators argue that automation, if coupled with labor agreements and training, can help West Coast gateways stay competitive in a global market.
Where This Hits Local Ports
In the Seattle Harbor, the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle have been pouring money into large modernization projects, including shore power, upgraded substations and new crane capacity at Terminal 5, combining environmental goals with heavy capital spending. The Terminal 5 modernization program and related electrification work are documented in Northwest Seaport Alliance planning materials and Port of Seattle project updates, which show a mix of public and private funding behind the upgrades. If the bill becomes law, ports and grant administrators will have to sort out whether certain electrification or equipment upgrades qualify for state support when automation features are part of the package.
Legal and Grant Implications
The bill’s prohibitions apply to “moneys available to a port district or a port development authority,” which means the restriction targets public dollars rather than outright banning every private purchase at a terminal. The draft also removes a prior sunset provision that would have allowed the restriction to lapse, making the bar effectively permanent if it is enacted. Those changes, along with the statutory definition of “fully automated,” are laid out in the bill text filed with the Legislature.
What’s Next
S.B. 5995 now sits on the Legislature’s early calendar and will move to committee hearings where port officials, labor representatives and industry groups are expected to weigh in. Watch for possible amendments that try to spell out whether tenant purchases or specific electrification projects fall under the ban, and for bargaining-table compromises that aim to pair limits on automation with worker protections and retraining commitments.
