SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5288

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 6, 1991

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

SPONSORS:Senators Rasmussen, Thorsness, Patterson, McMullen, Oke and Skratek.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5288 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Erwin, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Sellar, Skratek, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild. 

Staff:  Vicki Fabre (786‑7313)

Hearing Dates:March 6, 1991

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:

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.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A technical correction is made to retain the state route designation as SR 90.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

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 cost of commemorative markers, which will be installed by the Department of Transportation at rest stops from Seattle to the Washington/Idaho border, will be borne by the sponsoring group.  The American Veterans Coalition will also be responsible for maintaining the markers.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor; Jack Tschida, American Veterans Coalition; David Peach, Dept. of Transportation