Washington 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 5 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 5673 — Installing signs on or near bridges to provide information to deter jumping.

Last action — Senate Rules "X" file.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

294 added · 289 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Senate Bill 5673 has made a few key changes. It now requires the Department of Transportation to be notified about the location of certain signs, rather than needing their approval for those signs. Additionally, the wording clarifies that this section does not create a private right of action against the city or town regarding the posting of these signs. These changes aim to streamline the process for installing safety signs while limiting legal liability for municipalities.

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S-4010.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5673 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session By Senate Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Braun, Dozier, Gildon, Liias, Mullet, Muzzall, Randall, Van De Wege, and J.
S-3300.1 SENATE BILL 5673 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2022 Regular Session By Senators Braun, Dozier, Gildon, Liias, Mullet, Muzzall, Randall, Van De Wege, and J.
Wilson) READ FIRST TIME 01/28/22.
Wilson Prefiled 01/05/22.
Read first time 01/10/22.
Referred to Committee on Transportation.
amending RCW 36.86.040, 47.36.030, and 81.36.100;
amending RCW 36.86.040, 47.42.040, and 81.36.100;
1 SSB 5673 Unfortunately, the colder water and conditions were different earlier in the year, and he did not survive.
1 SB 5673 Unfortunately, the colder water and conditions were different earlier in the year, and he did not survive.
2 SSB 5673 (1)(a) The executive officer, or a designated employee, with control of operations and maintenance of a bridge of any city or town may authorize the erection of informational signs near or attached to bridges providing location-specific information about the hazards of jumping with the goal of preventing future deaths.
2 SB 5673 (1)(a) The executive officer, or a designated employee, with control of operations and maintenance of a bridge of any city or town may authorize the erection of informational signs near or attached to bridges providing location-specific information about the hazards of jumping with the goal of preventing future deaths.
(c) Signs created under this section may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(c) Signs created under this section may not conflict with provisions of the manual of uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(d) If a sign is to be located along a state highway or the interstate system, the department of transportation must approve the sign and location prior to erecting the sign, but no permit or fee is necessary.
(d) If a sign is to be located along a state highway or the interstate system, the department of transportation must be notified of the location prior to erecting the sign, but no permit is necessary.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the city or town if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
(3) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the city or town if a sign has or has not been posted on its property.
The county legislative authority shall erect and maintain upon the county roads such suitable and proper signs, signals, signboards, and guideposts and appropriate stop, caution, warning, restrictive, p.
The county legislative authority shall erect and maintain upon the county roads such suitable and proper signs, signals, signboards, and guideposts and appropriate stop, caution, warning, restrictive, and directional signs and markings as it deems necessary or as may be required by law.
3 SSB 5673 and directional signs and markings as it deems necessary or as may be required by law.
This includes informational signs to address jumping p.
This includes informational signs to address jumping from bridges as authorized in section 8 of this act.
3 SB 5673 from bridges as authorized in section 8 of this act.
(2) Signs created under this section for placement within the right-of-way of the state highway system may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(2) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been posted pursuant to this section.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Sec.
p.
4 SSB 5673 Sec.
RCW 47.36.030 and 2005 c 398 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
RCW 47.42.040 and 2001 c 107 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The secretary of transportation shall have the power and it shall be its duty to adopt and designate a uniform state standard for the manufacture, display, erection, and location of all signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected or to be erected upon the state highways of the state of Washington for the purpose of furnishing information to persons traveling upon such state highways regarding traffic regulations, directions, distances, points of danger, and conditions requiring caution, and for the purpose of imposing restrictions upon persons operating vehicles thereon.
It is declared to be the policy of the state that no signs which are visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system, primary system, or scenic system shall be erected or maintained except the following types:
Such signs shall conform as nearly as practicable to the manual of specifications for the manufacture, display, and erection of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways and all amendments, corrections, and additions thereto.
(2) The department of transportation shall prepare plans and specifications of the uniform state standard of traffic devices so adopted and designated, showing the materials, colors, and designs thereof, and shall upon the issuance of any such plans and specifications or revisions thereof and upon request, furnish to the boards of county commissioners and the governing body of any incorporated city or town, a copy thereof.
Signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected on county roads shall conform in all respects to the specifications of color, design, and location approved by the secretary.
Traffic devices hereafter erected within incorporated cities and towns shall conform to such uniform state standard of traffic devices so far as is practicable.
The uniform system must allow local transit authority bus shelters located within the right-of-way of the state highway system to display and maintain commercial advertisements subject to applicable federal regulations, if any.
(3) The uniform system adopted by the secretary under this section may allow signs, banners, or decorations over a highway that:
(a) Are in unincorporated areas;
(b) Are at least ((twenty)) 20 vertical feet above a highway;
and (c) Do not interfere with or obstruct the view of any traffic control device.
The department shall adopt rules regulating signs, banners, or decorations installed under this subsection (3).
5 SSB 5673 (4) Cold water shock signs authorized in this act are subject to the provisions of this section.
4 SB 5673 (1) Directional or other official signs or notices that are required or authorized by law including signs with the Crime Stoppers name, logo, and telephone number;
NEW SECTION.
(2) Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located;
(3) Signs advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located;
(4) Signs, not inconsistent with the policy of this chapter and the national policy set forth in section 131 of title 23, United States Code as codified and enacted by Public Law 85-767 and amended only by section 106, Public Law 86-342, and the national standards promulgated thereunder by the secretary of commerce or the secretary of transportation, advertising activities being conducted at a location within twelve miles of the point at which such signs are located:
PROVIDED, That no sign lawfully erected pursuant to this subsection adjacent to the interstate system and outside commercial and industrial areas shall be maintained by any person after three years from May 10, 1971;
(5) Signs, not inconsistent with the policy of this chapter and the national policy set forth in section 131 of title 23, United States Code as codified and enacted by Public Law 85-767 and amended only by section 106, Public Law 86-342, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the secretary of commerce or the secretary of transportation, designed to give information in the specific interest of the traveling public:
PROVIDED, That no sign lawfully erected pursuant to this subsection adjacent to the interstate system and outside commercial and industrial areas shall be maintained by any person after three years from May 10, 1971;
(6) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the commission, subject to the approval of the United States secretary of transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of this chapter ((47.42 RCW));
(7) Public service signs, located on school bus stop shelters, which:
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(a) Identify the donor, sponsor, or contributor of said shelters;
(b) Contain safety slogans or messages which occupy not less than sixty percent of the area of the sign;
(c) Contain no other message;
p.
5 SB 5673 (d) Are located on school bus shelters which are authorized or approved by city, county, or state law, regulation, or ordinance, and at places approved by the city, county, or state agency controlling the highway involved;
and (e) Do not exceed thirty-two square feet in area.
Not more than one sign on each shelter may face in any one direction.
Subsection (7) of this section notwithstanding, the department of transportation shall adopt regulations relating to the appearance of school bus shelters, the placement, size, and public service content of public service signs located thereon, and the prominence of the identification of the donors, sponsors, or contributors of the shelters;
(8) Temporary agricultural directional signs, with the following restrictions:
(a) Signs shall be posted only during the period of time the seasonal agricultural product is being sold;
(b) Signs shall not be placed adjacent to the interstate highway system unless the sign qualifies as an ((on-premise [on-premises])) on-premises sign;
(c) Signs shall not be placed within an incorporated city or town;
(d) Premises on which the seasonal agricultural products are sold must be within fifteen miles of the state highway, and necessary supplemental signing on local roads must be provided before the installation of the signs on the state highway;
(e) Signs must be located so as not to restrict sight distances on approaches to intersections;
(f) The department shall establish a permit system and fee schedule and rules for the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of these signs in accordance with the policy of this chapter;
(g) Signs in violation of these provisions shall be removed in accordance with the procedures in RCW 47.42.080;
(9) Signs on or near bridges in accordance with section 8 of this act so long as they do not conflict with federal requirements.
Only signs of types 1, 2, 3, 7, ((and)) 8, and 9 may be erected or maintained within view of the scenic system.
Signs of types 7 ((and)), 8, and 9 may also be erected or maintained within view of the federal aid primary system.
p.
6 SB 5673 NEW SECTION.
(1)(a) The executive officer, or a designated employee, with control of operations and maintenance of a bridge of any county, city, town, or state agency, subject to approval by the department pursuant to (d) of this subsection, may erect informational signs near or attached to bridges providing location-specific information about the hazards of diving or jumping from the location with the goal of preventing future deaths.
(1)(a) The executive officer, or a designated employee, with control of operations and maintenance of a bridge of any county, city, town, or state agency may erect informational signs near or attached to bridges providing location-specific information about the hazards of diving or jumping from the location with the goal of preventing future deaths.
(c) Signs created under this section may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(c) Signs created under this section may not conflict with provisions of the manual of uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(d) If a sign is to be located along a state highway or the interstate system, the department must approve the sign and location prior to erecting the sign, but no permit or fee is necessary.
(d) If a sign is to be located along a state highway or the interstate system, the department of transportation must be notified of the location prior to erecting the sign, but no permit is necessary.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the owner of a government facility if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
(3) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be p.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the owner of a government facility if a sign has or has not been posted on its property.
6 SSB 5673 liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on port controlled land, the port's executive officer must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazards of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
p.
7 SB 5673 (1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on port controlled land, the port's executive officer must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazards of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
(2) Signs created under this section for placement within the right-of-way of the state highway system may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(2) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the port if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the port if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Signs with information on the hazard of cold-water shock that leads to drowning are encouraged to be installed in locations where people might p.
Signs with information on the hazard of cold-water shock that leads to drowning are encouraged to be installed in locations where people might otherwise think a location is safe for swimming.
7 SSB 5673 otherwise think a location is safe for swimming.
(2) Signs created under this section for placement within the right-of-way of the state highway system may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(2) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on department controlled land, the commissioner must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazard of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
p.
8 SB 5673 (1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on department controlled land, the commissioner must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazard of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
(2) Signs created under this section for placement within the right-of-way of the state highway system may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(2) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the department if a sign has or has not been posted on its property.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for p.
8 SSB 5673 any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on land controlled by the commission, the director must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazards of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
(1) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge on land controlled by the Washington state parks and recreation commission, the director of the state parks and recreation commission must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazards of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract.
Signs with information on the hazard of cold-water shock that leads to drowning are encouraged to be installed in locations where people might otherwise think a location is safe for swimming.
Signs with information on the hazard of cold- water shock that leads to drowning are encouraged to be installed in locations where people might otherwise think a location is safe for swimming.
(2) Signs created under this section for placement within the right-of-way of the state highway system may not conflict with provisions of the manual on uniform traffic control devices or existing state laws related to placement and design of signs that are placed along transportation corridors.
(2) Nothing contained in this section confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
(3) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the commission if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the Washington state parks and recreation commission if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
p.
Sec.
9 SB 5673 Sec.
(1) Any railroad corporation heretofore duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state or of the territory of Washington, or which may hereafter be duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state, or heretofore or hereafter incorporated and organized under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, and authorized to do business in this state and to construct and operate railroads therein, shall have and hereby is given the right to construct bridges across the navigable streams p.
(1) Any railroad corporation heretofore duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state or of the territory of Washington, or which may hereafter be duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state, or heretofore or hereafter incorporated and organized under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, and authorized to do business in this state and to construct and operate railroads therein, shall have and hereby is given the right to construct bridges across the navigable streams within this state over which the projected line or lines of railway of said railroad corporations will run:
9 SSB 5673 within this state over which the projected line or lines of railway of said railroad corporations will run:
(b) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the property owner if a sign has or has not been erected on its property.
(b) Nothing contained in this subsection (2) confers a right of action in cases where no right of action exists independent of this section.
The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of this act, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
This section does not create a private right of action by any party and may not be used to impose liability on the property owner if a sign has or has not been posted on its property.
10 SSB 5673
10 SB 5673
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Action History

  1. Senate Rules "X" file.

  2. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  3. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 04:00 PM

  4. TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  5. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

  6. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 04:00 PM

  7. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

  8. First reading, referred to Transportation.

  9. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (142)

142 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5673?
SB 5673 is sponsored by Randall, Ron Muzzall (Republican), Mullet, Marko Liias (Democrat), Chris Gildon (Republican), Perry Dozier (Republican), John Braun (Republican), Jeff Wilson (Republican), and Van De Wege.
What is the current status of SB 5673?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5673?
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