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Senate Committee Rejects Moratorium on Digital Billboards

The bill would halt the placement of new devices while a federal study related to safety is completed.
(Published Mar 17, 2010)

The Senate Transportation Committee during the week of March 8 voted down a bill that would have placed a three-year moratorium on new digital billboards. The bill, SF 2369 (Sen. Sandra Pappas, DFL-St. Paul), would prohibit the erection of new devices while a federal study related to safety is completed.

Proponents of the bill testified that the advertising devices are distracting to drivers and that the illumination produced is offensive to nearby residential areas. The measure would allow existing digital billboards to remain in place provided they are in compliance with local regulations.

Representatives of digital billboard manufacturers and marketers said they are working with road authorities and individual municipalities to address concerns.

The bill failed on a roll call vote after some legislators said they were convinced the industry could be adequately regulated at the local level. A hearing on the House companion, HF 2921 (Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul) was cancelled.

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