Brief Description: Authorizing the transportation commission to name or rename state transportation facilities.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Swecker; by request of Transportation Commission.

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

Background: Historically, the Washington Transportation Commission (Commission) has named various transportation facilities throughout the state. Typically, the Legislature, through a joint memorial, will submit a request to the Commission that a particular facility be named after an individual who has had some significant impact on the state transportation system. However, no specific legal authority exists in statute allowing the Commission to name transportation facilities.

Summary: The Commission may name or rename state transportation facilities, such as state highways, bridges, rest areas, and roadside viewpoints. The Washington State Department of Transportation, state and local governmental entities, citizen organizations, and any person may initiate the naming or renaming process. The requesting entity or person must provide sufficient evidence, as determined by the Commission, indicating community support and acceptance of the proposal.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      45   4
House      95   2

Effective:   July 22, 2007