SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5572

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to permissible highway signs.

Brief Description:  Authorizing Crimestoppers signs in view of specified highway systems.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, Winsley and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/7/01, 2/19/01 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5572 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Kastama, McAuliffe, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786‑7484)

Background:  Crimestoppers is a non-governmental organization dedicated to helping public agencies apprehend criminals by use of a phone number which people may use to call and report knowledge of crimes.  Members of local communities, in partnership with the media and law enforcement, work to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Signs with the ?Crimestoppers@ name, logo and telephone number are added to the types of signs that can be displayed beside the road under the Scenic Vistas Act, RCW 47.42.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  It is clarified that WSDOT would not have to maintain the signs located on private property.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Crimestoppers has good statistics for solving crimes.  The challenge is keeping Crimestoppers in the public eye.  Signs off major highways would be beneficial to assist with this challenge.

Testimony Against:  WSDOT has no authority to enter private property to maintain signs.

Testified:  Ron Conlin, Crimestoppers (pro); Glade Austin, Crimestoppers of Lewis County (pro); Vic Persol, Crimestoppers of Puget Sound (pro); Toby Rickman, State Traffic Engineer, WSDOT (concerns).