Title: An act relating to naming or renaming state transportation facilities.

Brief Description: Authorizing the transportation commission to name or rename state transportation facilities.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Swecker; by request of Transportation Commission.

Brief History:

Transportation: 3/21/07 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Dickerson, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Wallace and Wood.

Staff: Harvey Childs (786-7322).

Background:

Under current policy, the Washington State Transportation Commission (Transportation Commission) is responsible for naming transportation facilities. In addition to the evidence below, the policy states that community support shall be measured, preferably through a resolution or memorial adopted by the Legislature. Necessary evidence includes:

• supportive letters from state and federal legislators representing impacted areas;
• resolutions passed by local and regional elected officials;
• Department of Transportation (DOT) regional support; and
• supportive actions by organizations such as chambers of commerce and service clubs.

Following final Transportation Commission action naming the facility, the DOT designs and installs the appropriate sign in accordance with state and federal standards.

Summary of Bill:

The bill provides a process for naming state transportation facilities by the Transportation Commission. The facilities to be named or renamed can include: state highway bridges, structures, and facilities; state rest areas; and state roadside facilities, such as viewpoints. The Transportation Commission must consult with the DOT before taking final action.
      
The DOT, state and local governmental entities, citizen organizations, and any person may initiate the process.

Requesting entities or persons must provide sufficient evidence, as determined by the Transportation Commission, indicating community support and acceptance of the proposal. This evidence from or in the impacted area encompassing the state transportation facility may include:

• letters of support from state and federal legislators;
• resolutions passed by local, publicly-elected bodies;
• the DOT support; or
• supportive actions by or letters from local organizations, such as local chambers of       commerce and service clubs.

The DOT shall design and install the appropriate signs in accordance with state and federal standards after final action is taken by the Transportation Commission naming or renaming a state transportation facility.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The act takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The proposed legislation puts into statute the current policy of the Transportation Commission. The Transportation Commission has been naming facilities using this process for the past 20 plus years and averages about five to six requests per year. The Transportation Commission has not turned down a request in seven years.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Elmira Forner, Washington State Transportation Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.