HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJM 4007

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Brief Description: Designating the bridge over the Skookumchuck river on state route number 507 as the Regina Clark memorial bridge.

Sponsors: Representatives Orcutt and Appleton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/13/19, 2/14/19 [DPS].

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Fey, Chair; Slatter, 2nd Vice Chair; Valdez, 2nd Vice Chair; Wylie, 1st Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Boehnke, Chambers, Chapman, Dent, Doglio, Dufault, Entenman, Eslick, Goehner, Gregerson, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McCaslin, Mead, Orcutt, Ortiz-Self, Paul, Pellicciotti, Ramos, Riccelli, Shea, Shewmake and Van Werven.

Staff: Megan McPhaden (786-7114) and Mark Matteson (786-7145).

Background:

The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is responsible for naming state transportation facilities, including highways and bridges. The WSTC's policy states, "A naming is done in a thorough and deliberative manner to honor and institute an enduring memory of a person or group of people who have contributed significantly to the well-being of the state or nation and with the widespread support of the people from the area in which the facility is located."

There are two processes for initiating the naming of a state transportation facility:

1. The Legislature may pass a Joint Memorial requesting the WSTC name or rename a facility. Following enactment of a Joint Memorial, the WSTC holds a public hearing as soon as possible to allow for public input prior to taking action.

2. The Legislature, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), state and local government entities, citizen organizations, and any person may contact the WSTC establishing their interest in a naming. The requesting party must provide sufficient evidence indicating community support and acceptance of the proposal. This evidence can include a letter of support from the state or federal legislator representing the area encompassing the facility to be renamed. Other evidence that can provide proof of community support includes a resolution passed by other elected bodies in the impacted area, support by the WSDOT, and supportive action from a local organization such as a chamber of commerce.

After the WSTC takes final action, the WSDOT designs and installs the appropriate signs.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Senate and the House of Representatives request that the WSTC commence proceedings to designate the bridge over the Skookumchuck River on State Route 507 between milepost 4 and milepost 5 as the Regina Clark Memorial Bridge.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The Substitute Joint Memorial adds milepost markers to identify the location of the bridge and adds language about the purpose of the naming request.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Regina Clark was active duty military in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom and was killed in the line of duty in 2005 while part of a convoy that was ambushed. She was well known and active in her community, a softball player, and a single mom. It is important to name something for Regina Clark. Naming this bridge for her honors someone who paid the ultimate sacrifice and is a reminder that freedom is not free. The bridge at milepost 4.5 was picked by supporters because it is the gateway of Centralia and would demonstrate that the community members greatly value veterans.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Orcutt, prime sponsor; and Joseph Amell.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.