Republican State Senator supports Mosquito Fleet Act: “I think it’s a great idea”
A fresh YouTube video can be seen at the bottom of this page (approx. 11 minutes in duration)
by Jeff Noedel
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
In a recorded video interview with CNL3 Wednesday evening, Washington State Senator Ron Muzzall (R-10) voiced support for H.B. 1923, The Mosquito Fleet Act — which passed the State House of Representatives with a strong bipartisan majority.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he told CNL3. He spoke of a years-long effort to create a passenger-only ferry service between Everett and Langley, a seaside community at the south end of Whidbey Island. Muzzall said he likes the fact that a passenger-only ferry that would be spawned by the Mosquito Fleet Act would be locally run. Said Muzzall, “You know what, the State of Washington won’t be running it, and I think that’s also a good idea.”
The Mosquito Fleet Act would allow Grays Harbor and the seaside communities around the widest definition of Puget Sound — including Bellingham and the San Juans — to create “passenger-only ferry service districts” with the power to tax, charge fares, hire employees, buy or lease boats, and/or contract expert operators of a passenger-only ferry system.
Muzzall is the senator for Washington’s 10th legislative district, which includes all of Whidbey Island, all of Camano Island, and parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties. The 10th district includes Washington State Ferry terminals in Clinton and the Keystone Ferry Landing (Coupeville).
Republican senators didn’t have a chance to vote on H.B. 1923 last year, when it was first introduced. After sailing through the House of Representatives last year, the bill died in the Senate Transportation Committee, without a vote.
So this session, the bill’s prime sponsor, State Rep. Greg Nance (D-23), filed the bill again.
Again this year, H.B. 1923 earned strong bipartisan support in the House in levels higher than last year. The bill now awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Mukilteo Democrat Sen. Marko Liias.
The 19 members of the Transportation Committee are as follows. Click on the hotlink for contact details.
Sen. Emily Alvarado (Democrat, LD 34, Chinatown, SODO, West Seattle, Georgetown, Fauntleroy, Vashon Island)
Sen. Mike Chapman (Democrat, LD 24, Olympic Peninsula, Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor)
Sen. Leonard Christian (Republican, LD 4, Spokane Valley)
Sen. Adrian Cortes (Democrat, LD 18, Vancouver)
Sen. Phil Fortunato (Republican, LD 31, Sumner – Bonney Lake)
Sen. Keith Goehner (Republican, LD 12, Monroe, Index, Leavenworth, Wenatchee)
Sen. Paul Harris (Republican, LD 17, Vancouver)
Sen. Jeff Holy (Republican, LD 6, Spokane)
Sen. Victoria Hunt (Democrat, LD 5, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Enumclaw)
Sen. Curtis King (Republican, LD 14, Yakima, Pasco)
Sen. Deborah Krishnadasan, Committee Vice-Chair (Democrat, LD 26, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor)
Sen. Marko Liias, Committee Chair (Democrat, LD 21, Mukilteo, North Lynnwood, Edmonds)
Sen. Liz Lovelett (Democrat, LD 40, Fairhaven (Bellingham), Burlington/Mount Vernon, Anacortes, San Juan Islands)
Sen. John Lovick (Democrat, LD 44, Snohomish, Mill Creek)
Sen. Drew MacEwen (Republican, LD 35, Seabeck, Hoodsport, Shelton, Rochester)
Sen. T’wina Nobles (Democrat, LD 28, Lakewood, DuPont)
Sen. Sharon Shewmake (Democrat, LD 42, Blaine, Ferndale, Bellingham)
Sen. Javier Valdez (Democrat, LD 46, Lake City, Northgate, Green Lake, Ravenna)
Sen. Jeff Wilson (Republican, LD 19, Hoquiam, Westport, Centralia, Longview)
When addressing legislators in writing, it is customary to address them as “The Honorable,” and in “The Hon. Liz Lovelett.”
