BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 882
                                                      By: Ratliff
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          4-11-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, statutory restrictions on the operation of the logo sign
program limit the ability of the Department of Transportation to
administer the program.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 882 amends the procedures and locations for
placement of specific information logo signs on certain public
highways.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 4.07(n), Article 4477-9a, V.T.C.S.) of this
bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 4.07, Article 4477-9a, V.T.C.S., by
amending Subsections (a)-(c), (e), and (k)-(n), and adding
Subsection (o), as follows:

     (a)  Defines "eligible highway," "eligible urban highway,"
     "information logo sign," "major shopping area guide sign,"
     "major shopping area," and redefines "specific information
     logo sign" (sign).
     
     (b)  Requires the State Highway and Public Transportation
     Commission (commission) to contract with a person, firm,
     group, or association in the State of Texas to erect and
     maintain specific information logo signs at appropriate
     locations along an eligible highway.
     
     (c)  Makes conforming changes.
     
     (e)  Sets forth guidelines which allow a commercial
     establishment to participate in the sign program.
     
     (k)  Prohibits a sign from containing a message, symbol, or
     trademark that resembles an official traffic control device,
     or containing more than six, rather than four, establishment
     names for each sign panel.  Deletes existing Subdivisions (2)
     and (4).
     
     (l)  Deletes Subdivision (4), regarding placement of signs.
     
     (m)  Deletes the provision that a sign placed along a ramp or
     at a ramp terminal must omit the service information.
     
     (n)  Requires the commission to establish a program that
     allows the erection and maintenance of major shopping area
     guide signs at appropriate locations along eligible urban
     highways unless the commission determines there is a conflict
     with federal law.  Requires the commission to adopt rules
     regulating the content, composition, placement, erection, and
     maintenance of major shopping area guide signs and supports
     within eligible urban highway rights-of-way; however, a major
     shopping area shall be entitled to have its name displayed on
     major shopping area guide signs if it is located not farther
     than three miles from an interchange on an eligible urban
     highway.  Requires a major shopping area that has its name
     displayed on a major shopping area guide sign to reimburse the
     commission for all costs associated with the sign.
     
     (o)  Authorizes major shopping area guide signs to be included
     as part of exit direction signs, advance guide signs, and
     supplemental guide signs and shall include guide signs for
     both directions of traffic on an eligible urban highway. 
     Provides that Subsections (f)-(i) do not apply to major
     shopping area guide signs.
     
     (p)  Provides that Sections 403.094(h) and 403.095, Government
     Code, do not apply to funds deposited into the state highway
     fund under this subsection.
     
     (q)  Authorizes additional signs to be placed along the ramp
     or at the ramp terminal if the service facilities are not
     visible from an interchange ramp terminal.
     
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.