S.B. 656 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 656
By: Brimer
Urban Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a municipal board must be formed if a city wants to relocate,
reconstruct, or remove on-premise signs.  S.B. 656 authorizes a
municipality to require the removal of an on-premise sign or sign
structure not sooner than the first anniversary of the date the business,
person, or activity that the sign or sign structure identifies or
advertises ceases to operate on the premises on which the sign or sign
structure is located. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant
any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department,
agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

S.B. 656  amends the Local Government Code to make an exception for which
municipalities do not have to provide compensation for costs related to
the required relocation, reconstruction, or removal of a sign.  The bill
authorizes a municipality to require the removal of an on-premise sign or
sign structure, without having to provide compensation, no sooner than the
first anniversary of the date the business, person, or activity that the
sign or sign structure identifies or advertises ceases to operate on the
premises on which the sign is located.  The bill prohibits a municipality
from requiring the removal of an on-premise sign or sign structure before
the second anniversary of the date the most recent tenant ceases to
operate on the premises, if the premises containing the sign or sign
structure is leased.  The bill would not require a municipal board be
appointed prior to the removal of a sign or sign structure. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.