HB0471 Bray, Joan

C O M M I T T E E

HCS HB 471 -- SCENIC BYWAYS

SPONSOR: Bray

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Transportation by a vote of 16 to 0.

This substitute requires the Highways and Transportation Commission to use minimum factors in designating a road or highway as a scenic byway. The commission must adopt a rating system to ensure that only roads that display outstanding characteristics are designated as scenic byways. This substitute contains language pertaining to the approval or rejection of any proposed designation of a scenic route.

The commission can adopt rules to regulate or prohibit outdoor advertising and adopt rules to implement a program for the erection and maintenance of tourist-oriented directional signs along scenic byways. Tourist-oriented directional signs will only be used on roads and highways designated as scenic byways.

FISCAL NOTE: Not available at time of this printing.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this legislation will allow scenic byways to qualify under the federal act in addition to showing off certain beautiful routes in Missouri.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bray; Missouri Highway and Transportation Department; Scenic Missouri Organization; Conservation Federation; Sierra Club; and Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Research Analyst