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.