Outdoor advertising: digital advertising displays.

Existing law, the Outdoor Advertising Act, provides for the regulation by the Department of Transportation of advertising displays, as defined, within view of public highways, as specified. This bill would prohibit an advertising display that is visible from a state, county, or city highway, as specified, from being constructed as, or converted, enhanced, improved, modified, modernized, or altered into, a digital advertising display, as defined, unless it complies with a specified permitting process. The bill, until January 1, 2012, would also prohibit an official highway changeable message sign, as defined, from being constructed as, or converted, enhanced, improved, modified, modernized, or altered into, a digital advertising display for the purpose of displaying messages other than official traffic operations or public safety messages. The bill would also prohibit the painting, installation, or application of a supergraphic, as defined, to an exterior building wall until the State Fire Marshal promulgates safety regulations governing these signs. The bill would provide for civil penalties for a violation of these provisions and provide other remedies for enforcement. The bill would also state the intent of the Legislature.