Bill
SB 5013
SB 5013 would require the DOT to create a publicly accessible statewide map showing where temporary political campaign signs are permitted or prohibited along major state roadways.
SB 5013 - Summary
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a publicly accessible map maintained by the Department of Transportation (DOT) identifying where temporary political campaign signs may be placed along major state roadways (interstate, primary, or scenic systems). The bill would add a new section to RCW 47.01.
What the bill would do
- Create and maintain a DOT map that shows all locations where temporary political campaign signs are permitted on main-traveled ways across the state.
- Require the map to include specific categories of locations:
- (a) All department-owned or managed land.
- (b) All locations where signs are prohibited due to the state highway right-of-way.
- (c) Any adjoining private or public land where signs are not prohibited due to proximity to an interstate, primary, scenic system, or right-of-way.
- (d) Any department-owned or managed land where signs are permitted.
- Make the map publicly available on the DOT website and ensure it is prominently accessible to the public.
- Establish a rule that the DOT may not remove any campaign sign unless the map designates the sign’s location as prohibited.
Public accessibility and enforcement
- The map must be publicly accessible via the DOT website, with prominent placement for public use.
- Sign removal rule: DOT may not remove a sign unless the map shows that the location is prohibited. This creates a clear standard tying removal to map-designated prohibitions.
Who is affected
- Political campaigns and sign contractors: They would need to consult the DOT map to determine legal locations for campaign signs along state roadways.
- Private landowners near state highways: Information on whether signs are permitted on nearby land will be clarified by map designations.
- Department of Transportation: Responsible for developing, updating, and maintaining the map; responsible for enforcement decisions in line with the map.
- General public: Increased transparency about where campaign signs may legally be placed.
Procedural timeline and status
- Introduced: December 4, 2024 (prefiled 12/04/24).
- First reading: January 13, 2025; referred to Senate Committee on Transportation.
- Public hearing: February 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Senate Committee on Transportation.
- Current status: Public hearing scheduled; bill remains under consideration by the Transportation Committee.
Key takeaway
- SB 5013 would require the creation of a state-wide, publicly accessible DOT map detailing permissible and prohibited locations for temporary political campaign signs along major state road corridors, and would tie sign removal to the map’s designations. This aims to increase transparency and provide a single reference for where campaign signage is allowed.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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