Outdoor advertising displays: exemptions.

The Outdoor Advertising Act provides for the regulation by the Department of Transportation of advertising displays, as defined, within view of public highways. The act exempts from its provisions certain advertising displays, including, among others, any advertising display used exclusively either to advertise products, goods, or services sold by persons on the premises of an arena on a regular basis, or to advertise any products, goods, or services marketed or promoted on the premises of an arena pursuant to a sponsorship marketing plan with a duration of at least one year, if specified conditions are met. This bill would reduce the minimum duration of a sponsorship marketing plan that qualifies an advertising display for this exemption from regulation under the act from one year to 120 days. The bill would require the department, when renegotiating an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration relating to advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to federally identified highway systems that specifies the state's obligations for receipt of unreduced federal aid highway funds under federal law, to include among its priorities support for advertising displays at arenas.