FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6649

                              C 258 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Conner, Hansen and Bauer)

Clarifying the status of Adopt-a-Highway signs.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Currently, 27 states have established programs allowing volunteer organizations to "adopt-a-highway" to reduce roadside litter.  The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) has established a pilot program in which nonprofit volunteer organizations agree to remove litter from two-mile sections of highway at least four times each year for a period of two years.  In return, the DOT erects signs identifying the group and provides safety vests, hard hats, trash bags, removal of filled bags, temporary signs and initial safety training to the volunteer crews.  Although the DOT is currently erecting Adopt-A-Highway signs, concern has been expressed that the statutes governing signing should be amended to specifically permit Adopt-A-Highway signs.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is directed to establish a statewide Adopt-A-Highway litter control program.  Volunteer organizations may participate, provided their name does not endorse or oppose a particular candidate for public office; advocate a position on a political issue, initiative, referendum or piece of legislation; or include a reference to a political party.

The department shall assign each eligible volunteer organization a specific section of highway for a specific period of time, erect signs with the organization's name on either end of the organization's section of highway, provide safety equipment and training, pay medical aid benefit premiums as provided for in the Industrial Insurance Act, and adopt rules necessary for implementation of this act.

The Department of Transportation is required to obtain permission from property owners who lease the right-of-way before allowing a volunteer organization to adopt a section of highway on such leased property, and DOT must ensure that the rights, activities, and agreements with adjacent landowners are not impaired.

The Scenic Vistas Act which regulates signing on interstate, primary, and scenic highways is amended to permit Adopt-A-Highway signs along the right-of-way of the designated two-mile section of highway adopted by a volunteer group.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    0

     House 97  0(House amended)

     Senate          (Senate refused to concur)

Free Conference Committee

     House 97  0

     Senate   43    1

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990