Bill > HB267

This bill allows the Transportation Cabinet to enter into "sponsorship agreements" with private entities to sponsor welcome centers or rest areas on state highways and interstates, with any contributions used for maintenance and upkeep. A "sponsorship agreement" is defined as a contract where a private entity is acknowledged for providing a highway-related service, product, or monetary contribution. The bill also defines "acknowledgment sign" as an official sign, meeting federal standards, placed in the right-of-way to inform the public about a sponsored service, product, or contribution. These signs will be permitted at welcome centers and rest areas, and near them on the highway system. The Transportation Cabinet must create administrative regulations for a sponsorship policy and process, which will be subject to Federal Highway Administration approval and must prohibit discrimination, allow termination for safety or traffic flow concerns, and specify acceptable sponsors and agreement types. Sponsors will be responsible for the costs of manufacturing, installing, and removing acknowledgment signs, which will identify the sponsor with their name and logo but will not promote alcohol, tobacco, adult establishments, or political content, and must not resemble official traffic control devices. Importantly, private sponsors are prohibited from offering commercial services or products at sponsored locations for prices below the prevailing market rate.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb267.html