BILL REQ. #:  S-3238.2 

Read first time 06/05/2003.   Referred to .

     AN ACT Relating to assuring that the rights of way of state highways accommodate the deployment of personal wireless service facilities; amending RCW 47.52.001; and adding a new section to chapter 47.04 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 47.52.001 and 1961 c 13 s 47.52.001 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Unrestricted access to and from public highways has resulted in congestion and peril for the traveler. It has caused undue slowing of all traffic in many areas. The investment of the public in highway facilities has been impaired and highway facilities costing vast sums of money will have to be relocated and reconstructed.
     (2) Personal wireless service is a critical part of the state's infrastructure. The rapid deployment of personal wireless service facilities is critical to ensure public safety, network access, quality of service, and rural economic development.
     (3) It is, therefore, the declared policy of this state to limit access to the highway facilities of this state in the interest of highway safety and for the preservation of the investment of the public in such facilities, and to assure that the use of rights of way of limited access facilities accommodate the deployment of personal wireless service facilities consistent with these interests.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 47.04 RCW to read as follows:
     Personal wireless service is a critical part of the state's infrastructure. The rapid deployment of personal wireless service facilities is critical to ensure public safety, network access, quality of service, and rural economic development.
     It is the declared policy of this state to assure that the use of rights of way of state highways accommodate the deployment of personal wireless service facilities consistent with highway safety and the preservation of the public investment in state highway facilities.