Assigned to COMPS                                                                                                                               AS ENACTED

 

                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FINAL AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1114

 

outdoor advertising

 

Purpose

 

Permits electronic outdoor advertising in select areas of Mohave County.

 

Background

 

The federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965 requires states to provide effective control of outdoor advertising along interstates and highways pursuant to federal regulations or risk losing 10 percent of highway aid funding. Arizona’s highway beautification program, overseen by the Federal Highway Administration, is consistent with the laws and regulations promulgated by the federal government (23 U.S.C. § 131 and 23 C.F.R. § 750).

 

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-7902, the Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation develops rules and regulations for the outdoor advertising sign control program. Local governments may regulate the placement of signs within their jurisdiction.

 

Laws 2012, Chapter 316 permits electronic outdoor advertising, defined as light emitting signs capable of changing messages, along state highways and interstates in certain prescribed areas. Electronic outdoor advertising may not contain animations and must remain static for at least eight seconds, with a transition time under two seconds. Electronic billboards must be dimmed from sunset until 11:00 PM and off from 11:00 PM to sunrise. Electronic outdoor advertising is restricted within a 75-mile radius of certain observatories.

 

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Increases the permissible area for electronic outdoor advertising to include the zone within 40 miles of mile marker 250 on State Route 96 in Bullhead City, AZ, except State Route 95 south of Interstate 40 and area east of State Route 93 from mile marker 42 to the Hoover Dam (new zone).

 

2.      Decreases, from 300-342 NITS to 200 NITS, full white mode light output thresholds in the new zone from sunset until 11 P.M.

 

3.      Limits new electronic outdoor advertising in the new zone to 35 signs, displays and devices.

 

4.      Applies existing size and spacing limitations for electronic outdoor advertising to signs in the new zone.

 

5.      States the Legislature's intent to encourage the advertising industry to minimize the impact of artificial sky glow on observatories.

 

6.      Makes technical and conforming changes.

 

7.      Becomes effective on the general effective date.

 

Amendment Adopted by Committee

 

1.      Reduces the maximum number of signs from 50 to 35.

 

2.      Reduces the luminosity threshold from 255 to 200.

 

3.      Applies existing size and spacing limitations.

 

4.      Adds legislative intent language.

 

Amendment Adopted by the House

 

1.      Modifies parameters of the new zone.

 

2.      Replaces the legislative intent language.

 

Senate Action                                                             House Action

 

COMPS          2/6/17      DPA     8-0-0                       MVRA 3/20/17     DPA     8-1-0

3rd Read          3/1/17                   20-10-0                   3rd Read           4/20/17                  35-18-6

Final Read      4/25/17                 20-8-2

 

Signed by the Governor 5/1/2017

Chapter 237

 

Prepared by Senate Research

May 9, 2017

GH/rr