Committee sends highway-sign bill to interim study after safety concerns

The Public Works and Highways committee voted to refer Senate Bill 632 to interim study after a short debate over the safety and visibility of a proposed highway sign in Concord. Representative Mike Edgar moved to send the bill to interim study; the motion passed on a recorded roll call (15–0, two absent) and the matter was placed on the consent calendar.

Members expressed concerns about whether the sign would be legible from the highway and whether listing events or frequently changing text could create a distraction. Representative Jack described the sign’s placement as distant from the highway and said small type could create a distracted-driving risk for motorists. Representative Rockmore said, “I share the safety concern,” echoing other members’ calls for more information about the sign’s size, placement and proposed content.

Supporters said the sign was intended as a donated resource to reduce highly changing commercial signage; one member noted the donor planned to work with a nonprofit to limit frequent changes. The committee concluded that further fact-finding and engineering review were warranted and sent the bill to interim study for additional work.

The interim-study referral allows the committee to collect more information on visibility, design, and whether federal rules or the Department of Transportation might raise enforcement or safety issues before any further committee action.