HB1695 - Relating to the relocation, adjustment, and ownership of commercial signs.

  89R7876 AJZ-F     By: Canales H.B. No. 1695       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the relocation, adjustment, and ownership of commercial   signs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 391, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Sections 391.0331 and 391.037 to read as   follows:           Sec.   391.0331.     RELOCATION OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL SIGNS   BECAUSE OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, OR PUBLIC   IMPROVEMENT. (a)   If a commercial sign use, structure, or permit   may not be continued because of the widening, construction, or   reconstruction of a highway, the installation, expansion, or   construction of public infrastructure, or the undertaking of a   public improvement project by a public improvement district, the   owner of the commercial sign may relocate the use, structure, or   permit to another location permitted by this chapter or rules   adopted under this chapter.           (b)     If the use or structure is located in a municipality,   the municipality in which the use or structure is located shall, if   necessary, provide for the relocation by a special exception to any   applicable ordinance.           Sec.   391.037.     OBSTRUCTION OF VIEW AND READABILITY OF   CERTAIN COMMERCIAL SIGNS. (a)   If the view and readability of a   commercial sign are obstructed due to a noise abatement or safety   measure, a grade change, vegetation, construction, an aesthetic   improvement made by an agency of this state, or a directional sign,   the owner of the commercial sign may relocate the sign to a location   in which a commercial sign is permitted under this chapter or rules   adopted under this chapter.   The owner of the sign is responsible   for all costs associated with relocating a sign under this   subsection and is not entitled to any compensation for those costs.           (b)     If the commercial sign is located in a municipality, the   municipality in which the commercial sign is located shall, if   necessary, provide for the relocation by a special exception to any   applicable ordinance.          SECTION 2.  Subtitle H, Title 6, Transportation Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 398 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 398.   PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO OUTDOOR COMMERCIAL   SIGNS           Sec.   398.001.     RIGHTS OF OWNER OF CERTAIN SIGNS. The rights   associated with a commercial sign, as defined by Section 391.001,   that was lawfully erected but no longer complies with current laws   and regulations, including laws and regulations promulgated under   Chapters 391 and 394 of this code, and Chapter 216, Local Government   Code, vest in the owner of the commercial sign.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.