AB605: Bill Text

LRB-0986/1

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 605

October 23, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Jeskewitz, M. Lehman, Cullen, Bies, Hines, Lothian, Huber, Vrakas and Ott, cosponsored by Senators Darling and Roessler. Referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections.

AB605,1,2 An Act to amend 12.04 (4) (b) of the statutes; relating to: municipal regulation of political signs.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law generally permits an individual to place a sign containing a political message (political sign) on residential property owned or occupied by that individual during an election campaign period. However, under current law, counties and municipalities may regulate the size, shape, or placement of any political sign that has an electrical, mechanical, or audio apparatus, and may regulate any political sign in order to ensure traffic or pedestrian safety. In addition, towns and first, second, and third class cities may regulate the size, shape, or placement of any political sign that is more than 11 square feet in area. This bill expands this latter grant of regulatory authority to apply, in addition, to villages and fourth class cities.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB605, s. 1 Section 1. 12.04 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB605,2,5 12.04 (4) (b) In addition to regulation under par. (a), a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class city, or a town, municipality may regulate the size, shape, or placement of a sign exceeding 11 square feet in area. This paragraph does not apply to a sign which is affixed to a permanent structure and does not extend beyond the perimeter of the structure, if the sign does not obstruct a window, door, fire escape, ventilation shaft, or other area which is required by an applicable building code to remain unobstructed.

AB605,2,6 (End)