By:  Brimer                                                       S.B. No. 656

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the removal of certain on-premise signs in a municipality. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 216.003, Local Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: (b) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the [The] owner of a sign that is required to be relocated, reconstructed, or removed is entitled to be compensated by the municipality for costs associated with the relocation, reconstruction, or removal. (e) A municipality that exercises authority under this subchapter may, without paying compensation as provided by this subchapter, 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. If the premises containing the sign or sign structure is leased, a municipality may not require removal under this subsection sooner than the second anniversary after the date the most recent tenant ceases to operate on the premises. The removal of a sign or sign structure as described by this subsection does not require the appointment of a board under Section 216.004. (f) A municipality acting under Subsection (e) may agree with the owner of the sign or sign structure to remove only a portion of the sign or sign structure. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.