Summary of Rules and Regulations This is an unofficial summary of the Adopt-A-Highway program rules and regulations (revised 07/31/02). Any variation from the official rules are accidental and not binding. This is only here for your information and convenience. Official Adopt-A-Highway Rules and Regulations 7 CSR 10-14 are available in their entirety in the Missouri Code of State Regulations

Purpose The purpose of the Adopt-A-Highway program is to provide volunteer community support for anti-litter and highway beautification programs. It will reduce litter along the highways, enhance the environment and beautify Missouri's roadsides.

Definitions Adopted section - a particular section of state highway right of way designated by the commission to be adopted by the volunteer individual or group participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Adopter - the individual or group approved by the commission to be a participant in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Adopter representative - a group member designated to represent the volunteer group and serve as its liaison with the commission and is the person who signs the agreement. Agreement - the written agreement between the volunteer individual or group adopting a section of highway right of way and the commission. Applicant - the individual or group applying for participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Commission - the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, or its authorized representative. Department - the Missouri Department of Transportation. Litter - any unsightly matter that may include, but is not limited to, disposable packaging, containers, cans, bottles, paper and cigar or cigarette butts. Litter does not include hazardous, heavy or large items. Participant – any individual, including individuals within a group, who will be participating in the program. Program - the Adopt-A-Highway program. Program activity - litter pickup and/or beautification and/or mowing. Violent criminal activity – any offense having as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another or any offense involving weapons.

Application for Participation Eligible adopters. Eligible adopters include civic and nonprofit organizations, commercial and private enterprises and individuals. 1) who have not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a violent criminal activity, except as provided below; 2) whose participants have not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a violent criminal activity, except as provided below; 3) for whom state or federal courts have not taken judicial notice of a history of violence; or 4) who do not deny membership on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Any individual adopter or participant may be eligible ten (10) years after the completion of any incarceration, probation or parole. The commission reserves the right to limit the number of adoptions for a single group. Acceptance. The commission will have sole responsibility in determining whether an application is rejected or accepted and determining what highways will or will not be eligible for adoption. The commission may refuse to grant a request to participate if the applicant has submitted false statements of a material fact or has practiced or attempted to practice any fraud or deception in an application. Material facts include statements regarding convictions of violent criminal activity or membership qualifications. An application completed by an individual on behalf of a group or organization must identify the group or organization for which the application is being submitted and failure to identify the group or organization on the application will result in rejecting the application. The adopter representative will certify on the application form that the group does not deny membership on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

Agreement If an application is approved, the adopter or adopter representative shall execute a written agreement with the commission, and upon signing by both parties, the agreement becomes effective and provides the individual’s or the group's  participation in the program. Responsibilities of adopter. The adopter shall: Abide by all provisions contained in the agreement and any other terms and conditions as required by the department; Provide to the commission, in writing, the name and complete mailing address, including street address, of the adopter representative and notify the commission thirty (30) days, in writing, of any change of the adopter representative; Abide by all safety requirements as listed in the department's Safety Tips brochure; Have the adopter, if the adopter is one individual, or the adopter representative participating in the program activity attend a safety meeting conducted by commission before participation in the initial program activity; Have all members of the group participating in the program activity attend a safety training meeting conducted by the adopter representative, before participation in the initial program activity; Have the adopter or adopter representative submit to the commission, in writing on a form provided by the department, the following information: 1) the name and street address of each participant; 2) a release of liability signed by each participant or parent or legal guardian of the participant if participant is a minor; 3) the participant’s acknowledgment that he/she has attended a safety training meeting; and 4) if the participant is not a minor, the participant’s statement that he/she has not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a violent criminal activity; Properly use all safety equipment provided by the department and perform the work in a safe, responsible and professional manner; Provide one adult supervisor for every eight participants between 13-17 years of age and one adult supervisor for every four participants between 6-12 years of age. No one under the age of 6 will be allowed to participate in the program; Adopt a section of highway right of way for a minimum of three years and submit a new application every three (3) years if the adopter wants to continue participation in the program; Collect litter along the adopted section a minimum of of twice every six (6) months , or as required by the commission; Adopt for litter pickup a minimum of 2 miles in rural areas and 1/2 mile in urban areas. Shorter lengths may be permissible in special circumstances; Provide prior notice, as required before performing any program activity; Restrict program activities to the areas of right of way outside the pavement and shoulder areas; Perform program activity between the hours of one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset and not during inclement weather; Prohibit participants from possessing, consuming, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while participating in the program; Place litter in trash bags provided by the department and place filled trash bags at a designated location; Separate tires, batteries and other trash as needed for proper disposal according to local landfill requirements; Indemnify and hold harmless the commission and department and their officers, employees and agents from any claim, lawsuit or liability which may arise from adopter's participation in the program; Have the adopter or adopter representative submit to the commission within five (5) working days of any program activity, the following information: 1) the adopter’s name; 2) the date of the program activity; 3) the total hours involved in the program activity; and 4) the total number of bags of trash picked up. This information can be provided by calling the department representative, by e-mailing the department representative or by filling out and mailing the Activity Report form provided by the department. This information will enable the department to monitor the program’s success; and Not subcontract or assign its responsibilities under this program to any other enterprise, organization, or individual unless assignee is also an active adopter. Responsibilities of commission. The commission shall: Determine the specific section of right of way to be adopted; Except as provided for in 7 CSR 10-14.050, install and maintain signs, if desired by the adopter, at both ends of the adopted section; Provide the adopter with trash bags; Provide safety training to the adopter, if the adopter is one individual, or the adopter representative which includes but is not limited to a safety video and Safety Tips brochure; Provide the adopter with safety equipment; and Remove and dispose of filled trash bags from the adopted section as soon as practical after the litter pickup is finished.

Sign The signs shall: Identify the adopter but are not intended to be an advertising medium or serve as a means of providing a public forum for the participants; Be designed by the department size, color and text; and Have the actual name of adopter with no telephone numbers, logos, slogans or addresses, including internet addresses with verbiage kept to a minimum. The signs shall not contain wording which is obscene, profane, or sexually suggestive  or implies an obscenity profanity; The erection of a sign is not a requirement for participation in the program. If a sign is damaged, destroyed, stolen, or removed from its foundation by an act of vandalism, the department will provide and erect a replacement sign at department cost. If the replacement sign is damaged, destroyed, stolen or removed from its foundation by an act of vandalism, the department will provide and erect one additional replacement sign at department cost. If the second replacement sign is damaged, destroyed, stolen, or removed from its foundation by an act of vandalism, no further sign will be provided or erected. Two (2) signs will be erected for each adopter, one at each end of the adopted section, at a location determined by the department.

Modification / Termination of Agreement

(1)The agreement may be modified or terminated at the sole discretion of the commission. (2)The commission reserves the right to terminate the program agreement and remove the signs when, in the sole judgment of the commission, it is found that:    (A) Continuing the agreement would be counterproductive to the program’s purpose, or have undesirable results such as increased litter or vandalism or would jeopardize the safety of the participants, traveling public or department employees;    (B) The adopter is not meeting or has not met the terms and conditions of the agreement or any of the requirements set forth in 7 CSR 10-14.030 – 7 CSR 10-14.050; or    (C) Actions of the adopter may be contrary to any legislative restrictions or any restrictions on the use of appropriated funds for political activities. (3) After three (3) years of participation in the program, an adopter may terminate the agreement upon written notice to the commission

Adopt today for a clean tomorrow. For more information, check out the topics below:

General Information

Adopt A Highway Brochure (5 mb, 2 pages)

AAH Safety Tips (7 mb, 2 pages)

Types of Adoption and Recognition

A Few Facts about the Program

Common Questions

Summary of Rules and Regulations

Activity Report

No MOre Trash

Roadside Review

The documents are provided in Acrobat Reader format. Free Acrobat Reader download