SRC-JFA C.S.H.B. 1908 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1908 By: Siebert (Wentworth) State Affairs 5-8-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, in order to help potential home buyers locate a new subdivision, builders and developers often place "directional signs" in the right-of-way of a public road. Chapter 216, Local Government Code, gives a municipality the authority to regulate the placement of these signs within its corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. The City of San Antonio does not regulate these signs because the city is of the opinion that Section 393.002, Transportation Code, does not authorize municipalities to do so. Section 393.002, Transportation Code, prohibits a person from placing a sign on the right-of-way of a public road unless the placement is authorized by state law. This bill would add a new section to Chapter 393, Transportation Code, that would prohibit a person from placing a sign on the right-of-way of a road or highway maintained by a municipality unless the placement is authorized by the municipality. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1908 adds a new section to Chapter 393, Transportation Code, to prohibit a person from placing a sign on the right-of-way of a road or highway maintained by a municipality unless the placement is authorized by the municipality. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 393.002, Transportation Code, to prohibit a person from placing a sign on the right-of-way of a public road unless the placement is authorized by state law except as provided by Section 393.0025. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 393, Transportation Code, by adding Section 393.0025, as follows: Sec. 393.0025. MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE SIGN PLACEMENT. Prohibits a person from placing a sign on the right-of-way of a road or highway maintained by a municipality unless the placement is authorized by the municipality. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 393.002, Transportation Code, to revise proposed changes. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 393, Transportation Code, to add Section 393.0025. Redesignates SECTION 2 and SECTION 3, accordingly.