READ FIRST TIME 02/25/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to signs on bus shelters; amending RCW 47.12.120 and 47.36.030; and adding a new section to chapter 47.36 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Local transit authority bus shelters within the right of way of the state highway system may display and maintain commercial advertisements subject to applicable federal regulations, if any. Pursuant to RCW 47.12.120, the department may lease state right of way air space to local transit authorities for this purpose, unless there are significant safety concerns regarding the placement of certain advertisements.
     (2) Advertisements posted on a local transit authority's bus shelter may not exceed twenty-four square feet on each side of the panel. Panels may not be placed on the roof of the shelter or on the forward side of the shelter facing oncoming traffic.

Sec. 2   RCW 47.12.120 and 1977 ex.s. c 151 s 50 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department ((is authorized, subject to the provisions and requirements of zoning ordinances of political subdivisions of government, to)) may rent or lease any lands, improvements, or air space above or below any lands((, including those used or to be used for both limited access and conventional highways which)) that are held for highway purposes but are not presently needed((,)). The rental or lease:
     (1) Must be upon such terms and conditions as the department may determine;
     (2) Is subject to the provisions and requirements of zoning ordinances of political subdivisions of government;
     (3) Includes lands used or to be used for both limited access and conventional highways that otherwise meet the requirements of this section; and
     (4) In the case of bus shelters provided by a local transit authority that include commercial advertising, may charge the transit authority only for commercial space.

Sec. 3   RCW 47.36.030 and 1977 ex.s. c 151 s 61 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary of transportation shall have the power and it shall be its duty to adopt and designate a uniform state standard for the manufacture, display, erection, and location of all signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected or to be erected upon the state highways of the state of Washington for the purpose of furnishing information to persons traveling upon such state highways regarding traffic regulations, directions, distances, points of danger, and conditions requiring caution, and for the purpose of imposing restrictions upon persons operating vehicles thereon. Such signs shall conform as nearly as practicable to the manual of specifications for the manufacture, display, and erection of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways and all amendments, corrections, and additions thereto. The department of transportation shall prepare plans and specifications of the uniform state standard of traffic devices so adopted and designated, showing the materials, colors, and designs thereof, and shall upon the issuance of any such plans and specifications or revisions thereof and upon request, furnish to the boards of county commissioners and the governing body of any incorporated city or town, a copy thereof. Signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected on county roads shall conform in all respects to the specifications of color, design, and location approved by the secretary. Traffic devices hereafter erected within incorporated cities and towns shall conform to such uniform state standard of traffic devices so far as is practicable. The uniform system must allow local transit authority bus shelters located within the right of way of the state highway system to display and maintain commercial advertisements subject to applicable federal regulations, if any.