BILLBOARD PERMITS

Senate Bill 149 (as amended)

Sponsor:  Sen. Roger Kahn, MD                                           (Enacted as Public Act 13 of 2011)

House Committee:  Transportation

Senate Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 3-3-11

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 149 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE

The bill would amend the Highway Advertising Act to do the following:

·         Delete provisions requiring the owner of a sign structure that displays changing messages or images to apply for a digital billboard permit, in addition to an annual permit, and meet other requirements.

·         Delete provisions requiring the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to grant an interim permit for an existing digital billboard located in Saginaw County.

·         Delete a requirement that a sign constructed under an interim permit be not closer than 900 feet to another sign structure on the same side of the highway along interstate highways, freeways, and primary highways.

·         Require an existing sign structure on I-675 in Saginaw County to be at least 900 feet, rather than the standard 1,000 feet, from another sign on the same side of the highway.

·         Provide that if the owner of a sign described above applies for a permit before July 11, 2011, the department could issue a renewable permit as defined in the act.

(The bill eliminates provisions that were added to the act last session by Public Act 350 of 2010 to address a dispute over a digital sign in Saginaw County.  This bill provides an alternative approach to that issue.  See the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis dated 2-1-11 of Senate Bill 589 of last session, which became Public Act 350.)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill does not appear to have any fiscal impact.

POSITIONS:

The following indicated support of the bill to the Transportation Committee:  The Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Municipal League, and Adams Outdoor Advertising.

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   E. Best/C. Couch     

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.