The House Transportation Committee passed a bill clarifying certain provisions in the billboard permitting process. Bill Nevin is the legal counsel for the Department of Transportation. He says in order to comply with federal regulations, a state cannot re-zone strips of land for the primary purpose of housing billboards. Nevin says House Bill 1036 makes that regulation clear.
“This clarification is consistent with the state’s interpretation, the federal highway’s interpretation, and the U.S. District Court’s interpretation of the law,” Nevin says.
Nevin says the state already processes billboard permit applications in this manner. The bill passed with a vote of eight to four and moves to the House floor.