SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5937

As Passed Senate, March 12, 2003

Title: An act relating to additions to the scenic and recreational highway system.

Brief Description: Adding to the scenic and recreational highway system.

Sponsors: Senators Parlette, Jacobsen, Haugen, Sheahan and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 3/5/03, 3/6/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/12/03, 48-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Finkbeiner, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Prentice and Spanel.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: The Department of Transportation (DOT) is directed in statute to develop criteria for assessing scenic byways and appropriate methods for nominations and applications for the designation and removal of the designation of the byways. Any person may nominate a roadway, path, or trail for inclusion in the program. The department must submit its recommendations to the Transportation Commission. The commission may designate, on an interim basis, state scenic byways. The commission has designated the US 97 Scenic Byway and the Palouse Country Scenic Byway as interim scenic byways. Per statute, the Legislature must approve this designation in order for it to become official.

Summary of Bill: The US 97 Scenic Byway and the Palouse Country Scenic Byway are designated as State Scenic Byways.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The byway has received federal approval for grant funds which are contingent on the bill passing. The byway is a catalyst for developing communities. It will have a positive economic impact on communities by helping to develop a cohesive tourism package. There is great community support for this. Locals have met the intent of 1999 legislation.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Senator Parlette, prime sponsor; Chris Branch, Highway 97 Pateros to Borders Byway Committee; George Sharp, CTED; Michelle Poesy, Pullman Chamber of Commerce; Judy Lorenzo, WSDOT.