89R7876 AJZ-F
By: Hughes S.B. No. 2198
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.