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                                           ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2514

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Representatives Walker, Rust, Pruitt, D. Sommers, Phillips, Fraser, Brekke, G. Fisher, Jacobsen, Scott, Leonard, Valle, Betrozoff, Bowman, Winsley, Wineberry, Tate, May, Ferguson and Wolfe

Read first time 1/12/90 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to highway litter control; adding a new section to chapter 47.40 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that despite the efforts of the department of transportation, the department of ecology, and the ecology youth corps to pick up litter along state highways, roadside litter in Washington state has increased by thirty-six percent since 1983.  The legislature further finds that in twenty-seven states, volunteer organizations are able to give of their time and energy, demonstrate commitment to a clean environment, and discourage would-be litterers by keeping sections of highway litter free because those states have established programs to encourage and recognize such voluntary efforts.  Therefore, it is the legislature's intent to establish an "adopt-a-highway" litter control program as a partnership between citizen volunteers and the state to reduce roadside litter and build civic pride in a litter-free Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 47.40 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The department of transportation shall establish a state-wide adopt-a-highway litter control program whereby volunteer organizations may contribute to a cleaner environment and a more attractive state by adopting sections of state highway and picking up litter along those sections.

          An organization whose name:  (a) Endorses or opposes a particular candidate for public office, (b) advocates a position on a specific political issue, initiative, referendum, or piece of legislation, or (c) includes a reference to a political party shall not be eligible to participate in the adopt-a-highway program.

          (2) In administering the adopt-a-highway, the department shall:

          (a) Provide a standardized application form, registration form, and contractual agreement for all volunteer groups.  Such forms shall notify the prospective participants of the risks and responsibilities to be assumed by either the department and/or the volunteer groups;

          (b) Require all volunteers to be at least fifteen years of age;

          (c) Require parental consent for all minors;

          (d) Require at least one volunteer adult supervisor for every eight minors;

          (e) Require one designated leader for each volunteer organization;

          (f) Assign each volunteer organization a section of state highway for a specified period of time;

          (g) Recognize the efforts of a participating organization by erecting and maintaining signs with the organization's name on both ends of the organization's section of highway;

          (h) Provide appropriate safety equipment and "Volunteer Litter Crew Ahead" signs.  Safety equipment, other than hardhats, issued to volunteer organizations must be returned to the department after each use for reuse by other volunteer groups;

          (i) Provide safety training for all volunteers;

          (j) Pay any and all premiums or assessments required under RCW 51.12.035 to secure medical aid benefits under chapter 51.36 RCW for all volunteers participating in the program;

          (k) Maintain records of all injuries and accidents that occur;

          (l) Adopt rules which establish a process to resolve any question of an organization's eligibility to participate in the adopt-a-highway program; and

          (m) Establish procedures and guidelines for the adopt-a-highway program.