Title: An act relating to authorizing the use of signs, banners, or decorations over highways under limited circumstances.

Brief Description: Authorizing the use of signs, banners, or decorations over highways under limited circumstances.

Sponsors: Representatives Eickmeyer, Buck, Blake, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Chase and Dunshee.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/05, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/22/05, 3/30/05 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Mulliken, Oke, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: The Department of Transportation (DOT) is required to adopt standards and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices. These standards provide consistency statewide concerning the display and location of signs, signals, and other traffic devices erected on state highways.

DOT has the authority to prohibit signs, banners, or decorations over highways in incorporated areas if they are less than twenty feet from the roadway surface. Under current law this authority is not provided to unincorporated areas of the state.

Under the Scenic Vistas Act, limitations are placed on the type of signs allowed within view, or within the right of way, of certain highways.

Summary of Amended Bill: The uniform system adopted by DOT may allow signs, banners, or decorations over a highway in unincorporated areas that are at least twenty feet above the roadway, and do not interfere with any traffic control devices. DOT must adopt rules to implement these changes.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: Emergency Clause is removed

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This bill allows unincorporated areas to put signs over highways in the same way that incorporated areas are allowed to. This is done is a safe way, under strict rules.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Eickmeyer, prime sponsor.