HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5949

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

March 1, 2002

Title:  An act relating to erecting and maintaining motorist information sign panels.

Brief Description:  Erecting and maintaining motorist information sign panels.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Swecker).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/25/02, 2/27/02 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/1/02, 95-3.

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House)

$Requires the Department of Transportation to contract out the erection and maintenance of motorist information signs.

$The DOT must contract out to the highest bidder to maximize revenue from the program.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Armstrong, Edwards, Ericksen, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sullivan, Wood and Woods.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786‑7315).

Background:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to erect and maintain motorist information signs within the right of way of the highway system to provide the traveling public with information regarding gas, food, lodging and tourist‑oriented businesses available at or near an interchange.  The DOT is also authorized to erect and maintain motorist information signs on non‑interstate highways for businesses accessible by highways intersecting the non‑interstate highway.

The DOT must charge reasonable fees to defray the cost of installation and maintenance of motorist information signs.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The DOT is directed to contract with a private contractor to erect and maintain motorist information signs.  The contractor is solely responsible for marketing, administration, financial management, installation and maintenance costs.  Any contract between the DOT and the contractor must require the contractor to install and maintain authorized community historical signs at no cost to the DOT.  The DOT must contract to the highest bidder and maximize revenue.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 19, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  Twenty-six states contract out the administration of motorist information sign panels.  The state and the private sector would both benefit if Washington also contracted out its program.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rick Jensen, Interstate Logos; and Scott Hazlegrove, AK Media of Washington.