Government

Bill requires feasibility study on sponsorship of rest areas

CHARLESTON — Last year’s bill to allow private companies to sponsor highway rest areas is on the road again. The House Roads and Transportation Committee approved a new, revised version of HB 2694 on Monday.

As it happens, this year’s and last year’s bills have the same number: HB 2694.

Last year’s bill would have directed the Division of Highways to develop a program to obtain private sponsorships for rest areas, welcome centers and roads.

This year’s bill requires DOH to do a program feasibility study. If the study determines it’s feasible, the DOH would be required to launch it.

It also adds state vehicles to the list of items that can be sponsored, to offset Courtesy Patrol costs.