SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2662

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, March 1, 2004

Title: An act relating to transportation system signage using icons and pictograms.

Brief Description: Using pictograms in transportation signs.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Jarrett, Murray, Sommers, Morris, Santos, Sullivan, Wood, Pettigrew, Kenney, Romero, Chase and Edwards).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/24/04, 3/1/04 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: Highway signs using icons are currently used by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to facilitate the use of transportation systems in the state and connection between modes. Signs using pictograms are signs that depict services, facilities, or destinations in picture form.

Summary of Amended Bill: DOT is directed to develop a program to implement a statewide program to use icons and pictograms to locate transportation facilities, tourist attractions, and services for transit system users. The new standards are intended to supplement existing signs, using existing logos and signs to the extent possible.

DOT must also develop the program in cooperation with regional transportation planning organizations, operators of public transportation services, common carriers, port districts with marine passenger terminals or airports, local government, and state and federal agencies.

DOT is to provide a preliminary report to the Legislature on the implementation of the program by December 1, 2004 and is to complete the program development by September 1, 2005.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: Language directing the Regional Transit Authorities and City Transportation Authorities to develop a program to implement pictograms and icons is deleted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: Using pictograms and icons makes it simple to use transportation facilities without understanding English.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Representative Hudgins.