AN ACT Relating to temporary political signs; amending RCW 47.42.040; and adding a new section to chapter 47.42 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 4, chapter 96, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 1, chapter 69, Laws of 1979 and RCW 47.42.040 are each amended to read as follows:

It is declared to be the policy of the state that no signs which are visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system, primary system, or scenic system shall be erected or maintained except the following types:

(1) Directional or other official signs or notices that are required or authorized by law;

(2) Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located;

(3) Signs advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located;

(4) Signs, not inconsistent with the policy of this chapter and the national policy set forth in section 131 of title 23, United States Code as codified and enacted by Public Law 85-767 and amended only by section 106, Public Law 86-342, and the national standards promulgated thereunder by the secretary of commerce or the secretary of transportation, advertising activities being conducted at a location within twelve miles of the point at which such signs are located: PROVIDED, That no sign lawfully erected pursuant to this subsection adjacent to the interstate system and outside commercial and industrial areas shall be maintained by any person after three years from May 10, 1971;

(5) Signs, not inconsistent with the policy of this chapter and the national policy set forth in section 131 of title 23, United States Code as codified and enacted by Public Law 85-767 and amended only by section 106, Public Law 86-342, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the secretary of commerce or the secretary of transportation, designed to give information in the specific interest of the traveling public: PROVIDED, That no sign lawfully erected pursuant to this subsection adjacent to the interstate system and outside commercial and industrial areas shall be maintained by any person after three years from May 10, 1971;

(6) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the commission, subject to the approval of the United States secretary of transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of chapter 47.42 RCW; ((~~and~~))

(7) Public service signs, located on school bus stop shelters, which:

(a) Identify the donor, sponsor, or contributor of said shelters;

(b) Contain safety slogans or messages which occupy not less than sixty percent of the area of the sign;

(d) Are located on school bus shelters which are authorized or approved by city, county, or state law, regulation, or ordinance, and at places approved by the city, county, or state agency controlling the highway involved; and

(e) Do not exceed thirty-two square feet in area. Not more than one sign on each shelter may face in any one direction.

Subsection (7) of this section notwithstanding, the department of transportation shall adopt regulations relating to the appearance of school bus shelters, the placement, size, and public service content of public service signs located thereon, and the prominence of the identification of the donors, sponsors, or contributors of the shelters;

(8) Temporary political signs soliciting votes for candidates or ballot propositions at a scheduled election. The signs may not be erected or maintained more than sixty days before the election and shall be removed within seven days after the election unless the candidate or proposition will be voted upon at a later election within sixty days of the first election. The signs shall not be placed within the right of way. The department shall adopt rules for the size and placement of temporary political signs.

Only signs of type 1, 2 ((~~and~~)), 3, 7, and 8 shall be erected or maintained within view of the scenic system. ((~~Signs of type 7 may be erected or maintained within view of the scenic system and the federal aid primary system.~~))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 47.42 RCW to read as follows:

No person may erect or maintain upon the right of way of any highway, street, or road a political sign soliciting votes for a candidate or ballot proposition at a scheduled election. The governmental agency having jurisdiction over that portion of the right of way on which a political sign is erected shall remove and store the sign and advise the candidate or campaign committee that the sign can be recovered during regular business hours before the election. A reasonable fee established by the governmental agency to cover the cost of sign removal may be imposed upon the candidate or campaign committee at the time of recovery. Any signs not recovered by the election date may be destroyed by the governmental agency.