SB 217 - This act makes the following changes to outdoor advertising laws:

TYPES OF HIGHWAYS - The billboard regulations shall apply on 2-lane highways when access rights are purchased to convert to 4-lane highways. The Highways and Transportation Commission may elect to regulate billboards along supplemental highways.

TOURISM SIGNS- The act removes policy declarations that tourism has critical importance and that the removal of tourism signs should be limited. Signs for all commercial caves shall be placed on the right-of-way.

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL AREAS - The definition is revised in several ways: (1) A permanent structure must be maintained; (2) The side of the highway opposite the commercial area does not qualify for billboards; (3) Further factors are added to define commercial and industrial areas.

CITIES & COUNTIES - Ordinances must comply with state regulations, but further authority is specifically added for the following: (1) Spacing requirements of up to 1000 feet or 3 times the height of the sign; (2) Size limits of 800 square feet, plus 30% for extensions and aprons; (3) Height limits of 65 feet above the road or base of the sign, whichever is greater; (4) Spacing limits of 100 feet from a historical district or a park; and (5) Setback requirements;

PERMITS - Permits for billboard erection shall be issued for 180 day periods with extensions for six months due to factors beyond the control of the permit holder. Applications for permits shall show landowner authorization for the sign.

REMOVAL - Signs properly erected prior to August, 1997 shall be deemed legally conforming. Compensation shall be based upon market value determined by comparable sales or replacement cost, whichever is greater.

ELECTRONIC, CHANGEABLE SIGNS - New technology is declared beneficial to tourism. The bill allows electronic message centers, changeable copy signs, trivision signs and projection systems.

MIKE HOEFERKAMP