This bill establishes a statewide moratorium on new billboards in Minnesota, recognizing the state's natural beauty and the importance of tourism to its economy. The legislature finds that the presence of billboards detracts from the state's attractiveness to visitors and that there are already a significant number of existing billboards. To address this, the bill prohibits any state agency or political subdivision from issuing permits for new billboards, declaring that any conflicting ordinances or policies are void. Additionally, existing billboards are classified as nonconforming uses, which means they can remain but cannot be expanded or replaced.

The bill also amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462.357, subdivision 1c, to clarify that the prohibition on amortization does not apply to billboards as defined in the new section 173.28. This means municipalities cannot enact ordinances that would eliminate or terminate existing billboards through amortization, thereby protecting them under current law. The effective date for these provisions is set for the day following final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 462.357
1st Engrossment: 462.357