FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5382

                          C 276 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Strengthening the Scenic Vistas Act.

Sponsors:  Senators T. Sheldon, Horn, Haugen and Winsley; by request of Department of Transportation.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Scenic Vistas Act has several sections regulating the type and use of signs that are on private property that is visible to the Interstate, primary highways, and scenic highways.  Regulated signs fall into two broad categories:  (1) signs that are regulated, but do not require a permit fee, and (2) signs that are regulated and require a permit fee, such as billboards.

Signs that require a permit fee pay an initial $10 and an annual renewal fee of $10.  The Department of Transportation maintains an inventory of both permitted signs and illegal signs, and performs periodic field reviews of signs.  This inventory and field review documentation makes the need for annual permit renewals redundant.

Summary:  The Scenic Vistas Act is modified.  The permitting process that requires an initial $10 and an annual $10 renewal fee is replaced with a single, one-time fee.  The Department of Transportation determines the one-time fee by administrative rule.  The department also replaces the annual renewal fee with an annual certification process.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 46 2

House     85 10 (House amended)

Senate    40 3 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1999