C.S.H.B. 678 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 678 By: Eissler Transportation Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, many Texas cities restrict or prohibit the construction of billboards. However, municipal restrictions do not apply in rural and unincorporated areas. Chapter 391.252(a), Transportation Code, bans new billboards on certain sections of highways. C.S.H.B. 678 amends Chapter 391.252(a) to add parts of four additional highways to the current list. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 678 amends Chapter 391.252(a), Transportation Code to prohibit a person from erecting an off-premise sign that is adjacent to and visible from the four following locations; State Highway 105 between the eastern city limits of the city of Navasota and the western city limits of the city of Conroe; State Highway 1488 between the eastern city limits of the city of Hempstead and Interstate Highway 45; or State Highway 149 between the eastern city limits of the city of Anderson and the northern city limits of the city of Pinehurst. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute differs from the original in that U.S. Highway 190 between the eastern city limits of the city of Huntsville and the western city limits of the city of Jasper has been removed.