Senate Bill 497 aims to revise the regulations surrounding outdoor advertising signs that do not conform to local ordinances and are impacted by state or local transportation projects. The bill introduces a new "repositioning" provision, which allows for the adjustment of nonconforming signs without affecting their status under local ordinances, provided that the repositioning is approved by the relevant political subdivision. This includes raising, lowering, rotating, or relocating the sign. The bill mandates that the agency responsible for the project must compensate the sign owner for the actual costs incurred during repositioning, determined by a moving cost agreement. Additionally, the bill expands the types of projects that can affect these signs and requires notification to municipalities or counties regarding proposed repositioning.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of the unit rule in the condemnation of signs, ensuring that compensation reflects the value of the sign, any related leases, and the loss of value to other signs owned by the same individual. It also establishes that appraisals used for jurisdictional offers must fall within a specific range of the owner's loss, ensuring fair compensation. The bill includes several amendments and new definitions to clarify the terms and processes involved, such as defining "covered project," "lead agency," and "political subdivision." Overall, Senate Bill 497 seeks to provide clearer guidelines and protections for nonconforming signs affected by transportation projects while ensuring fair compensation for sign owners.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 32.05(3)(e), 32.05, 84.30(5r)(title), 84.30, 84.30(5r)(b)