BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                  C.S.H.B. 34

79R18524 JTS-F                                                                                              By: Eissler (Williams)

Intergovernmental Relations

5/20/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, many Texas cities restrict or prohibit the construction of billboards.  However, municipal restrictions do not apply in rural and unincorporated areas.  Section 391.252 (a) of the Transportation Code prohibits erecting off-premise signs that are adjacent to and visible from certain sections of highways.  C.S.H.B. 34 amends Section 391.252 (a) to add parts of one additional highway to the current list.

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 Section 391.252(a), Transportation Code, to prohibit a person from erecting an off-premise sign that is adjacent to and visible from Farm-to-Market Road 2978 between Farm-to-Market Road 1488 and the boundary line between Harris and Montgomery Counties.  Deletes existing text relating to the effective date of the subchapter.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.