Assembly Bill 521 proposes significant changes to the regulations surrounding the removal of vegetation obstructing outdoor advertising signs along state highways in Wisconsin. The bill repeals certain existing provisions and amends others to streamline the process for sign owners to maintain visibility of their signs. Notably, it introduces a new definition for "viewing window," allowing sign owners with a vegetation removal permit to clear-cut all vegetation within a specified 500-foot area, including in highway medians. Additionally, the bill eliminates the requirement for an arborist to be employed for tree removal, instead mandating compensation only for trees removed from designated living snow fences, with the compensation amount increased from $200 to $300 per tree.

Furthermore, the bill allows sign owners who have previously been issued a vegetation removal permit since May 19, 2012, to remove vegetation in their viewing window without needing to apply for subsequent permits, provided they notify the Department of Transportation (DOT) beforehand and submit photographs of the site before and after removal. The bill also mandates that all vegetation removed must include the stump and be disposed of away from the highway right-of-way. These changes aim to facilitate the maintenance of outdoor advertising signs while ensuring that the removal of vegetation is conducted in a regulated manner.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 84.305(2), 84.305, 84.305(2m)(a), 84.305(3)(a), 84.305(3)(b), 84.305(3)(g), 84.305(3)(i), 84.305(4), 84.305(5)(a), 84.305(5)(ag), 84.305(5)(d), 84.305(5)(f)1, 84.305(5)(f)2, 84.305(6)(a)