Digital billboard proposal unplugged

It appears that a pair of proposals that would have allowed the spread of digital electronic billboards in the State of Washington have been tabled for this year. Both proposals—House Bill 1408 and Senate Bill 5304—received hearings in their respective chambers’ transportation committees Feb. 5. However neither committee took action on the bills by the Legislature’s self-imposed deadline this week, and thus the measures are not technically eligible for further consideration.

There are some billboards like these along Washington highways,
 notably on tribal land along I-5 in Fife. A proposal in the state
 Legislature to allow further use of the signs appears dead
for this year’s session.

The story is not necessarily over. Ideas that don’t survive the committee process can be added as amendments to other bills later in the session, parliamentary maneuvering can sometimes revive a bill that is considered dead, and those “necessary to implement the budget” are typically exempt from these cutoff dates. If they don’t resurface during this year’s legislative session, which runs through April 28, both bills could be considered again when the Legislature reconvenes next January. It should be noted that similar legislation was considered but never enacted last year. Outdoor advertising companies are likely to continue to push for the signs.

The astronomy community stepped up in opposition to these measures on the grounds that they would contribute to increases in light pollution. Others made the points that the signs can distract motorists and are generally unsightly. David Ingram of Dark Skies Northwest,  the regional chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association, testified at the hearings. Many astronomy clubs urged their members to send messages in opposition to the bills on their own or through the advocacy site Keep Washington Beautiful.org.

Seattle Astronomy will keep an eye out for further activity on these proposals.