AN ACT Relating to the highway heritage program; amending RCW 46.09.170; and adding new sections to chapter 46.68 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. Section 22, chapter 47, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. as last amended by section 25, chapter 36, Laws of 1988 and RCW 46.09.170 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) From time to time, but at least once each year, the state treasurer shall refund from the motor vehicle fund one percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax revenues collected under chapter 82.36 RCW under the tax rate in effect on January 1, 1990, and five-tenths of one percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax revenues from any increase in the tax imposed after that date, less proper deductions for refunds and costs of collection as provided in RCW 46.68.090. The treasurer shall place these funds in the general fund as follows:

(a) Forty percent shall be credited to the ORV and nonhighway vehicle account and administered by the department of natural resources solely for planning, maintenance, and management of ORV recreation facilities, nonhighway roads, and nonhighway road recreation facilities. The funds under this subsection shall be expended in accordance with the following limitations:

(i) Not more than five percent may be expended for information programs under this chapter;

(ii) Not less than ten percent and not more than fifty percent may be expended for ORV recreation facilities;

(iii) Not more than twenty-five percent may be expended for maintenance of nonhighway roads;

(iv) Not more than fifty percent may be expended for nonhighway road recreation facilities;

(v) Ten percent shall be transferred to the interagency committee for outdoor recreation for grants to law enforcement agencies in those counties where the department of natural resources maintains ORV facilities. This amount is in addition to those distributions made by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation under (d) (i) of this subsection;

(b) Three and one-half percent shall be credited to the ORV and nonhighway vehicle account and administered by the department of wildlife solely for the acquisition, planning, development, maintenance, and management of nonhighway roads and recreation facilities;

(c) Two percent shall be credited to the ORV and nonhighway vehicle account and administered by the parks and recreation commission solely for the maintenance and management of ORV use areas and facilities; and

(d) Fifty-four and one-half percent, together with the funds received by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation under RCW 46.09.110, shall be credited to the outdoor recreation account to be administered by the committee for planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, and management of ORV recreation facilities and nonhighway road recreation facilities; ORV user education and information; and ORV law enforcement programs. The funds under this subsection shall be expended in accordance with the following limitations:

(i) Not more than twenty percent may be expended for ORV education, information, and law enforcement programs under this chapter;

(ii) Not less than an amount equal to the funds received by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation under RCW 46.09.110 and not more than sixty percent may be expended for ORV recreation facilities;

(iii) Not more than twenty percent may be expended for nonhighway road recreation facilities.

(2) On a yearly basis an agency may not, except as provided in RCW 46.09.110, expend more than ten percent of the funds it receives under this chapter for general administration expenses incurred in carrying out this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 46.68 RCW to read as follows:

The state treasurer shall place five-tenths of one percent of the revenue from any increase in the tax on motor vehicle fuel collected under chapter 82.36 RCW that is imposed after January 1, 1990, less proper deductions for refunds and costs of collection as provided in RCW 46.68.090, in the highway heritage account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund.

The department shall establish a highway heritage program to preserve Washington's unique scenic character along highway corridors and provide travelers with a continuing opportunity to appreciate and obtain information regarding unique natural, cultural, and historic features near or accessible by highways. Through this program, the department may:

(1) Acquire by purchase, gift, devise, bequest, grant, or exchange, title to or any interests or rights in real property adjacent to or visible from state highways for preservation of natural beauty or viewpoints, or to preserve natural buffers between highways and other land uses.

(2) Provide directional signs, as well as signs with information regarding historical or cultural areas or sites and significant natural features. Funds may be used for directional signs on county roads and city streets to supplement signs on highways, at the request of the city or county. This subsection does not affect any other statute governing signs.

(3) Work with public and private land owners, local governments, and private organizations and associations to achieve the purposes of this section without land acquisition.

(4) Work with the parks and recreation commission to identify projects and establish priorities for expenditure of funds under this program. The commission shall be reimbursed for any expenses incurred.

The program shall give priority to heavily traveled corridors where the potential for loss of unique natural scenic areas is greatest and to newly established corridors.

Moneys from the highway heritage account shall be used as an addition to, and not as a substitute for, moneys currently used for the purposes specified in this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.68 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall consult with local governments, as well as public agencies and private organizations concerned with tourism, recreation, community development, historical appreciation, natural resources, and economic development, to encourage activities that promote the goals of section 2 of this act.