226.793.  Route 66 signage maintenance and enhancement act — definitions — program established, purpose — department guidelines — fund created — rulemaking authority. — 1.  The provisions of this section shall be known and may be referred to as the "Route 66 Signage Maintenance and Enhancement Act of Missouri".

  2.  For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:

  (1)  "Alignment", the specific path or route taken by Route 66 during a given time period.  Changes in alignment reflect shifts due to road improvements, bypasses, or realignments over decades;

  (2)  "Centennial celebration", events, programs, and initiatives commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, highlighting its historical and cultural importance;

  (3)  "Department", the department of transportation;

  (4)  "Historical roadside features", iconic landmarks, attractions, and infrastructure elements associated with Route 66, including neon signs, motels, bridges, and service stations;

  (5)  "Right-of-way", the publicly owned land on which highways and roads are built, including areas managed by the department of transportation, municipalities, and counties;

  (6)  "Route 66", the historic highway originally designated in 1926, running through the state from St. Louis City to the state line of Kansas west of Joplin, encompassing various alignments over its history;

  (7)  "Signage program", a coordinated effort led by the department of transportation to design, install, maintain, and enhance directional, interpretive, and supplemental signage for Route 66 travelers;

  (8)  "Supplemental signage", additional signs placed alongside standard markers to provide historical context, alignment, and interpretive information about specific locations or features on or near Route 66;

  (9)  "Theft-prevention mechanisms", measures implemented to deter the theft of Route 66 signs, including tamper-proof fasteners, special coatings, or micro markings such as "REPRODUCTION" to reduce desirability.

  3.  There is hereby established within the department of transportation the "Route 66 Maintenance and Enhancement Program" to maintain and repair existing Route 66 supplemental signage across the state.  The program may be expanded to include enhancement of Route 66 signage, including expanding current Route 66 signage beyond rights-of-way to include county and city roads.  Such additional signage shall highlight historical roadside features.  Moneys allocated to the program as provided in subsection 7 of this section shall be used by the department of transportation to maintain and repair existing supplemental signage and may be used to design, install, and maintain additional supplemental signage on Route 66.  Signs shall comply with the standards contained in the Department of Transportation's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

  4.  No later than January 31, 2026, the department shall establish guidelines for uniformity of supplemental signage design in coordination with the Missouri Route 66 centennial commission established under section 620.2200.  The department shall collaborate with counties and municipalities to implement the installation and maintenance of such signage.  The replacement of existing signage and installation of new signage shall be completed no later than May 30, 2026.  The department shall monitor and maintain such signage as part of its regular infrastructure programs.

  5.  The program shall include measures to implement theft-prevention measures for the signage, including anti-theft hardware installation and discreet "REPRODUCTION" markings.

  6.  The department shall seek guidance from the Route 66 Association of Missouri with respect to historical context and expertise on signage placement and shall seek assistance from the Association.

  7.  (1)  There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Route 66 Supplemental Signage Fund", which shall consist of appropriations of the general assembly, federal and state grants, and private donations.  The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund.  In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements.  The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in this fund shall be used solely as provided in this section.

  (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund.

  (3)  The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested.  Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

  8.  The department may establish a program to provide matching grants for local governments and organizations to address specific signage needs or enhancements within their jurisdictions.

  9.  The director of the department of transportation shall promulgate any rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2025, shall be invalid and void.