This report covers the responses House Transportation received for their RFI on Charge 1C, regarding the implementation of SB 357; relating to outdoor advertising signs. The RFI for this charge can be found here and a complete list of respondents can be found here.

The HillCo report below is a summary of information intended to give you an overview and highlight of the various topics included in the responses. This report does not cover the entirety of each response, but aims to provide an overview of the testimony submitted.

Texas Department of Transportation

  • SB 357 amends Transportation Code to provide a maximum height of 60 feet for new or amended permitted commercial signs; includes certain exceptions
  • SB 357 states if a sign owner who has 100 or more permitted signs violates the maximum sign height may be denied an application for a new sign permit
  • TxDOT is currently in the rule drafting process to reflect the statutory changes
  • Currently enforcing the 60-foot height limitations enacted by SB 357 for new permit locations

Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas (OAAT)

  • SB 357 is making two major changes to the outdoor advertising regulatory framework that OAAT is in support of
  • New administrative rules must be passed to implement SB 357
  • Does not support new restrictions, like those that would seek to roll back or limit recent changes
    • Would not allow precarious members in the industry to maintain viability
  • COVID-19 has hurt the outdoor advertising business
  • Base has been significantly diminished; new pressure on ability to operate

Scenic Texas

  • Supports SB 357; will freeze all 20,000 billboards to their previous height as of March 20, 2017, or 85 ft, whichever is shorter
  • TxDOT has not issued rules to implement SB 357
  • Should issue rules to ensure existing billboards remain at their legal height prior to March 1, 2017 and how they will implement permitting for companies with 100 or more permits
  • Scenic Texas encourages the legislature to provide additional funding for TxDOT staff to conduct an updated inventory of the billboards in the state