HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5288

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to renaming state route number 90 the American Veterans Memorial Highway.

Brief Description:  Renaming the state portion of Interstate 90 the American Veterans Memorial Highway.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Thorsness, Patterson, McMullen, Oke and Skratek).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 27, 1991, DP;

Passed House, April 15, 1991, 95-0;

Passed Legislature, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; G. Fisher; Forner; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Vicki Fabré (786-7313).

Background:  Interstate 90 (I-90) is a highway that spans 13 states and reaches from Boston to Seattle.  The American Veterans' Coalition, seeking to establish a living memorial and tribute to the veterans of all wars, has requested that legislation be passed by all states in the I-90 chain renaming the portion of I-90 in each state the American Veterans' Memorial Highway.  Such legislation has already been passed in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Summary of Bill:  State Route 90, beginning at a junction with State Route No. 5, via the west approach to the Lake Washington bridge in Seattle, in an easterly direction by way of Mercer Island, North Bend, Snoqualmie Pass, Ellensburg, Vantage, Moses Lake, Ritzville, Sprague and Spokane to the Washington-Idaho boundary line, is designated the American Veterans' Memorial Highway.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is fitting that Washington join the other states in the I-90 chain in dedicating a living memorial to all American veterans.  The American Veterans' Coalition will be responsible for the cost and maintenance of commemorative markers which will be installed by the Department of Transportation at rest stops from Seattle to the Washington/Idaho border.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jack Tschida, American Veterans' Coalition; and David Peach, Department of Transportation.