SENATE BILL REPORT
SHJM 4001
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 27, 2023
Brief Description: Requesting the transportation commission to designate a section of state route number 411 the Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier memorial highway.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Orcutt, Walsh, McEntire, Abbarno, Christian and McClintock).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/6/23, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/13/23, 3/27/23 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requests that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to designate a section of State Route 411 in Cowlitz County as the "Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier Memorial Highway."
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Liias, Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Member; Cleveland, Fortunato, Hawkins, Kauffman, Lovelett, MacEwen, Nobles, Padden, Randall, Valdez, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J..
Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)
Background:

The Washington State Transportation Commission (Commission) is responsible for naming state transportation facilities, including highways and bridges. The Commission naming policy states: "A naming is done in a thorough and deliberative manner to honor and institute an enduring memory of a person or group of people who have contributed significantly to the well-being of the state or nation and with the widespread support of the people from the area in which the facility is located."


The naming process can be initiated by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), state and local governmental entities, citizen organizations, or an individual providing sufficient evidence to the Commission indicating community support and acceptance of the proposal. Alternatively, the Legislature may pass a joint memorial requesting that a facility be named, at which point the Commission will hold a public hearing to allow public input. After the Commission takes final action, WSDOT designs and installs the appropriate signs.

 

Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier.  Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier served with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office for three years and had previously served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Office for three years.  On April 13, 2019, Deputy DeRosier was shot in the line of duty and passed away shortly after midnight on April 14, 2019.
Summary of Joint Memorial:

The bill requests that the Commission commence proceedings to designate the section of State Route 411 that traverses Cowlitz County from milepost 1.5 to milepost 12 the Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier Memorial Highway.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  We've heard about fatalities on our highways.  People protecting our neighborhoods are also putting their lives on the line.  This memorial is about one person who put his life on the line.  Deputy DeRosier was called to a suspicious vehicle.  When he arrived he was fired upon. He died as a result of an on-duty injury, taking a bullet.  He was doing it to protect all of the rest of us.  He was somebody's son, somebody's husband.  He was a 5-month old girl's father.  It's fitting that we memorialize him.  We start the memorial route at MP 1.8 where the hall of justice and the Sherriff's office is.  It would continue north up SR 411 up to Castle Rock near where his home was.  This was a well-loved individual from Cowlitz County who chose to serve and protect those of us in Cowlitz County.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Ed Orcutt, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.