SRC-MWN H.B. 1697 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1697
By: Ellis, Dan (Ogden)
Natural Resources
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Transportation Code does not expressly allow advertising by
a sponsor on an outdoor sign erected or maintained by a nonprofit county
agricultural fair along a state highway. The Walker County Fair Association
recently erected a sign with the logo of a local bank that underwrote the
cost of the sign. The Texas Department of Transportation has asked that the
sign be removed and informed the bank that they are in noncompliance with
state law. H.B. 1697 allows an entity who pays for or sponsors a sign for a
nonprofit county agricultural fair to use up to 25 percent of the area of
the sign for the sponsor's logo or emblem.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 391B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
391.037, as follows: 

Sec. 391.037. OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BY CERTAIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIRS.
Authorizes outdoor advertising that is an outdoor sign to include the logo
or emblem of an entity if certain conditions are met. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.