LRB-4132/1
EVM:ahe
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
January 6, 2016 - Introduced by Senators Olsen,
Lasee, Marklein and Nass,
cosponsored by Representatives
Kulp, Krug, Kleefisch, T. Larson, Hutton,
Horlacher, Allen and Quinn. Referred to Committee on Transportation and
Veterans Affairs.
SB504,1,3
1An Act to amend 84.305 (5) (f) 1.; and
to create 84.305 (5) (f) 3. of the statutes;
2relating to: removal of vegetation obstructing certain outdoor advertising
3signs along highways.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates an exception to the requirement that a sign owner pay
compensation to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the removal of certain
trees that obstruct the view of the sign.
Under current law, DOT administers a permit system for the maintenance and
removal by sign owners of vegetation obstructing the view of signs along state trunk
highways. With limited exceptions, DOT issues permits to sign owners for the
trimming or removal of vegetation in the highway right-of-way if, for a distance of
500 continuous feet within the 1,000-foot distance motorists travel immediately
before reaching the sign, the vegetation obstructs the view of any portion of the face
of the sign. A permit authorizes the sign owner, or a third-party contractor employed
by the sign owner, to trim or remove obstructing vegetation to the extent necessary
to eliminate the obstruction and restore an unobstructed view of the sign for a
distance of 500 continuous feet along the highway. A permittee must compensate
DOT $200, adjusted annually for inflation, for each tree removed that has a diameter
of two inches or more.
Under this bill, no compensation is required for the removal of a tree
obstructing the view of a sign if the sign advertises activities conducted on the
property on which it is located.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB504,1
1Section
1. 84.305 (5) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB504,2,52
84.305
(5) (f) 1.
A Except as provided in subd. 3., a permittee shall compensate
3the department $200, as adjusted under subd. 2., for each tree removed under a
4permit, as calculated by the certified arborist retained by the permittee according to
5the method specified in par. (d).
SB504,2
6Section
2. 84.305 (5) (f) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
SB504,2,97
84.305
(5) (f) 3. No compensation is required for the removal of a tree
8obstructing the view of a sign if the sign advertises activities conducted on the
9property on which it is located.
