hb 1298

CHAPTER 234

HB 1298 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT relative to signage for the sponsor-a-highway program and naming that portion of the New Hampshire hospital campus which has been converted to offices for state agencies and others, the Hugh Gallen State Office Complex.

SPONSORS: Rep. Bruno, Hills 4

This bill establishes certain requirements for signs related to the sponsor-a-highway program and names a portion of the New Hampshire state hospital campus on Pleasant Street in the city of Concord, currently known as "state office park south," the Hugh Gallen Office Complex in honor of former governor, Hugh Gallen.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

234:1 Hugh Gallen State Office Complex. The portion of the New Hampshire state hospital campus which has been converted to offices for state agencies and others, located on Pleasant Street in the city of Concord and currently known as the "state office park south," is hereby named the Hugh Gallen State Office Complex in honor of former governor Hugh Gallen.

234:2 Signage. The state shall erect a suitable marker and signage at the site specified in section 1 of this act. The design, construction, and installation of any signage or other markers required under this act shall be approved by the department of transportation.

234:3 Sponsor-a-Highway Program. The subdivision heading preceding RSA 230:83 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

234:4 Sponsor-a-Highway Signage. RSA 230:83 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

230:83 Commissioner of Transportation to Establish Program; Rulemaking. In addition to the powers and duties of the commissioner of transportation under this title, the commissioner:

I. Shall establish a sponsor-a-highway program by directly involving citizens, groups, associations, and the business community in the beautification of the state's highways.

II. May recognize a citizen, group, association, or business that sponsors a section of highway by erecting a suitable recognition sign meeting the following criteria:

(a) The sign may consist of one or more panels, and shall be set in a location determined by the department to constitute no unreasonable safety risk to the public.

(b) The size, materials, method of installation, text, font, and color of the sign shall meet minimum standards of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the National Standard in accordance with Title 23 U.S. Code, Sections 109(d), 114(a), 227, 315, and 402(a), and 23 CFR 655, 49 CFR 1.48(b)(8), 1.48(b)(33), and 1.48(c)(2), as the same may be amended from time to time, provided that no sign may exceed 20 square feet in size.

(c) The citizen, group, association, or business shall be identified in a single section or panel constituting no more than ½ of the total area of the recognition sign.

III. Shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement the provisions of this subdivision, which rules shall permit:

(a) Any section of a recognition sign not in compliance with this section to remain in place only until existing written agreements with the sponsor have expired; and

(b) Any section of a recognition sign that describes the former adopt-a-highway program to remain until the sign has served its useful life.