SJM 8009
In CommitteeSenate
Joe Mentor memorial overpass
Designating the State Route Number 3 overpass at the junction of Chico Way NW in Bremerton as the Joe Mentor memorial overpass.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill is a joint memorial asking the Washington State Transportation Commission to officially name a specific highway overpass in Bremerton after Joe Mentor, a former state representative and longtime Kitsap County community leader, to honor his public service and civic contributions. It does not create new laws or funding but is a formal request for symbolic recognition.
- Calls on the Washington State Transportation Commission to begin the process of officially naming the State Route 3 overpass at the junction of Chico Way NW in Bremerton as the Joe Mentor memorial overpass.
- Honors Joe Mentor for his decades of public service, business leadership, and community involvement in Kitsap County, including his time as a Washington State Representative (1968–1972), publisher of the *Kitsap Journal*, and founder of Kitsap Bremerton Charleston Transit (now Kitsap Transit).
- Requests that copies of the memorial be sent to the Washington State Transportation Commission, the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Department of Transportation for action.
- Includes background on Joe Mentor’s life and contributions to emphasize the significance of the naming, such as developing the Eldorado Hills housing project and his leadership in local organizations like the Kitsap County Home Builder's Association.
Who is affected
- Local residents and commuters — The public who uses State Route 3 near Chico Way NW in Bremerton will see a new official name on the overpass honoring Joe Mentor.
- Washington State Transportation Commission — The Washington State Transportation Commission is asked to formally approve and implement the naming of the overpass.
- Washington State Department of Transportation — The Washington State Department of Transportation may assist in implementing the naming and updating signage.
- Family and community members — The Mentor family and community members in Kitsap County may feel honored by the recognition of Joe Mentor’s legacy.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (1)
The naming provides local recognition of a community figure, reinforcing civic pride and historical continuity — a low-cost, non-disruptive way to affirm local identity and legacy, which can have modest psychological and social benefits for residents in the immediate area.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Section 1 (Whereas clauses and resolution text)
Potential Concerns (1)
The memorial may divert limited administrative resources of the Washington State Transportation Commission and Department of Transportation toward a symbolic naming process that has no material impact on infrastructure, safety, or service delivery — potentially delaying or diluting attention to higher-priority transportation matters.
Local GovernmentRef: Section 1 (Whereas clauses and resolution text)
Who Is Most Affected
Local residents and commuters may experience a small boost in community identity and pride; however, the change has no functional impact on their daily commutes, safety, or costs.
The Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT are tasked with implementing the naming, requiring minimal staff time and administrative effort — a negligible operational burden with no fiscal impact.
WSDOT may need to update signage and internal records, but the cost is negligible and does not affect service delivery or budget priorities.
The Mentor family and local community members may feel honored and recognized, but this is a symbolic gesture with no material benefit or cost to them.