Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
                      HOUSE CONCURRENT
                       RESOLUTION NO. 7
                             103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
                              INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PLANK.
    1656H.01I                                                               JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk


                                             AN ACT
                Relating to the Commission on Interstate 70 Safety and Beautification.


    Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           WHEREAS, the state of Missouri has outstanding natural beauty that Missourians
 2 and visitors enjoy; and
 3
 4         WHEREAS, the rebuilding and improvement of Interstate 70 provides an opportunity
 5 to enhance traffic safety and showcase Missouri's natural beauty and highlight its cultural,
 6 historical, commercial, and tourist attractions; and
 7
 8         WHEREAS, Interstate 70 has on average 2.5 times as many billboards per mile than
 9 any other state along the I-70 corridor from Maryland to Utah, contributing to increased
10 driver distraction compromising the safety of motorists and passengers; and
11
12         WHEREAS, the Missouri outdoor advertising statute permits the removal of trees
13 and other vegetation, often planted with state tax dollars, to enhance the visibility of outdoor
14 advertising signs; and
15
16         WHEREAS, preserving Missouri's natural scenic beauty and promoting its safety,
17 tourism, and economic development potential are valid public purposes and should be
18 considered during the I-70 rebuild; and
19
20         WHEREAS, this is a transportation, economic development, and quality-of-life issue,
21 and input should be sought from stakeholders in roadside commerce; tourism; outdoor
HCR 7                                             2

22   advertising; historical, cultural and scenic conservation; and municipal and county
23   governments; and
24
25          WHEREAS, Missourians deserve safe, well maintained, adequate, and more
26   beautiful highways that are a source of pride and commerce:
27
28           NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of
29   Representatives of the One Hundred Third General Assembly, First Regular Session, the
30   Senate concurring therein, hereby appoint a Commission on Interstate 70 Safety and
31   Beautification composed of the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure
32   Committee, members of the Missouri Municipal League and the Missouri Association of
33   Counties, and all members of the Scenic Byways Advisory Committee as described in 7 CSR
34   10-12.030(3). The purpose of the Commission is to study, discuss, and recommend to the
35   Department of Transportation and to the General Assembly strategies to enhance the safety
36   and visual and scenic character of the I-70 corridor through reasonable landscaping, sign
37   control, and highway, bridge, and lighting design standards; and
38
39           BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of
40   Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the
41   director of the Missouri Department of Transportation;
42
43          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the Governor for his
44   approval or rejection pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.
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