The bill would amend Transportation Code, Chapter 391, Subchapter B, relating to regulation of commercial outdoor signs, to add a new section entitling a commercial sign owner to relocate an outdoor advertising sign to a specified location if the commercial sign use, structure, or permit may not be continued because of highway or public infrastructure construction or other public improvements undertaken by a public improvement district. The bill would require any governmental entity, quasi-governmental entity, or public utility that acquires a commercial sign by eminent domain or causes the need for relocation of the sign under this new section to pay the costs of the acquisition or relocation.
Based on the information provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), it is assumed implementation of the bill could result in increased costs for the acquisition or relocation of eligible commercial outdoor signs impacted by highway improvement projects. Because the number of signs that would be subject to relocation or acquisition due to a highway project or visual impediment caused by TxDOT is unknown, the fiscal and operational impact to the department and the State cannot be estimated. However, it is assumed any cost increases incurred for such acquisitions and relocations of commercial signs due to a TxDOT highway improvement project would be accommodated through the reallocation of the department's existing highway planning and construction funds. Based on the information and analysis provided by TxDOT, it is assumed any other costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the department's existing resources.
It is assumed local government entities, quasi-governmental entities, and public utilities could incur increase costs for acquisition or relocation of outdoor commercial signs affected by certain public works projects.