BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1354
82R3847 NC-F	By: Carona, Rodriguez
	Intergovernmental Relations
	4/21/2011
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, county commissioners courts do not have the authority to prohibit the erection of off-premise signs in the unincorporated areas of a county.  Many counties want this authority.  This bill enables those commissioners courts to prohibit the erection of off-premise signs in the unincorporated areas of the county, but would not empower the commissioners court to require the relocation, reconstruction, or removal of an off-premise sign in existence as of the effective date of the bill.

As proposed, S.B. 1354 amends current law relating to the regulation of off-premise signs in the unincorporated area of a county.

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 Subchapter Z, Chapter 240, Local Government Code, by adding Section 240.908, as follows:

Sec. 240.908.  REGULATION OF OFF-PREMISE SIGNS.  (a) Defines, in this section, "sign" and "off-premise sign."

(b)   Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order, notwithstanding any other law, to prohibit the erection of off-premise signs along roads in the unincorporated area of the county.  Prohibits the commissioners court from requiring the relocation, reconstruction, or removal of an off-premise sign in existence on the effective date of this section.

(c)   Requires the commissioners court, before the commissioners court of a county may issue an order under Subsection (b), to hold a public hearing on the proposed order.  Requires the commissioners court, before the 15th day before the date of the hearing, to publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2011.