SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6208

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Amended by House, March 2, 2010

Title: An act relating to temporary agricultural directional signs.

Brief Description: Concerning temporary agricultural directional signs.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Hatfield and Shin).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/11/10, 1/18/10 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/12/10, 46-0.Passed House: 3/02/10, 96-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6208 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Benton, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Hatfield, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, King, Ranker and Sheldon.

Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)

Background: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has established a process by rule for the permitting and fee schedule of, among other types of signs, temporary agricultural directional signs. Temporary agricultural directional signs are restricted to the following provisions:

  1. Signs must be posted only during the period of time the seasonal agricultural product is being sold.

  2. Signs must not be placed adjacent to the interstate highway system unless the sign qualifies as an on-premise sign.

  3. Signs must not be placed within an incorporated city or town.

  4. Premises on which the seasonal agricultural products are sold must be within 15 miles of the state highway, and necessary supplemental signing on local roads must be provided before the installation of the signs on the state highway.

  5. Signs must be located so as not to restrict sight distances on approaches to intersections.

  6. WSDOT must establish a permit system and fee schedule and rules for the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of these signs in accordance with the policy of this chapter.

  7. Signs in violation of these provisions must be removed in accordance with the procedures as a public nuisance.

A sign erected on the state highway right-of-way is considered a public nuisance and may be removed by WSDOT without notice.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A temporary agricultural directional sign may be placed within the state highway right-of-way if the sign does not create a safety concern. WSDOT must approve the permit within five days of receiving the application.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The agricultural community supports anything that can be done to promote/support local farmers. This is an opportunity to get additional signage out to direct traffic to local farms. WSDOT has concerns about safety and conflicts with federal requirements but feel that these can be addressed in the rule making process.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Ted Trepanier, WSDOT; Mike Shelby, Western Washington Agricultural Association; Jeff Canaan, Washington State Department of Agriculture; Scott Dilley, Washington Farm Bureau; Allen Rozema, Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland.

House Amendment(s): Increases the amount of time that applications for temporary agricultural sign permits must be approved by the department from five days to ten days.