Trans 201.14(2)(a)(a) Nonconforming signs shall be removed or relocated in the order listed below: Trans 201.14(2)(a)1.1. First, signs advertising products of general availability in commercial channels. Trans 201.14(2)(b)(b) The priority system shall be implemented on a region-by-region basis. The department shall coordinate the priority system program to accomplish an equitable statewide progression from one priority category to the next; provided that signs in par. (a) 3. may not be removed or relocated until all signs in par. (a) 1. and 2. are removed or relocated. Trans 201.14(3)(a)(a) The priority system applies only to nonconforming signs. Top priority shall continue to be given to the removal of illegal and abandoned signs. Trans 201.14(3)(b)(b) Signs may be acquired regardless of priority category in hardship and other cases where acquisition of the signs is voluntarily negotiated between the sign owner and the department. Trans 201.14(3)(c)(c) The priority system does not apply to sign removals necessitated by a highway improvement project. Trans 201.14(3)(d)(d) The priority system does not apply to signs removed in accordance with a scenic easement or preservation project. Trans 201.14(3)(e)(e) If the removal or relocation of a sign is delayed because of a pending lawsuit or contested case under ch. 227, Stats., that sign shall not be considered in determining whether the removal or relocation of signs in a priority category has been completed. Trans 201.14(4)(a)(a) The department shall make reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature at the completion of each priority category and before progressing from one priority category to the next, as provided in sub. (2) (b). Trans 201.14(4)(b)(b) The department shall make reports to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature on June 1 and November 1 of each year until all signs have been removed under s. 84.30, Stats. Trans 201.14(5)(5) General provisions. The advertising message on signs may be changed so as to move a sign from one priority category to another; however, once an acquisition order for a sign project is approved by the department, signs covered by the order will be removed regardless of changes made in the advertising message after the acquisition order is approved. Trans 201.14 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 1977, No. 253, eff. 2-1-77; renum. from Hy 19.25 and am. (1) (a) and (b) (intro.), (2) (a) 2. and 3., (2) (b), (3) (b) and (e), (4) and (5), Register, July, 1980, No. 295, eff. 8-1-80; cr. (3) (f), Register, August, 1980, No. 296, eff. 9-1-80; correction in (2) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2013 No. 686. Trans 201.15(1)(1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to set standards for the use of signs whose messages may be changed by electronic process in accordance with 23 USC 131 (c) (3) and (j), and ss. 84.30 (3) (c) and (4) (b), Stats. Trans 201.15(2)(b)(b) “Message” means anything displayed on a sign, including copy, art animations and graphics. Trans 201.15(2)(c)(c) “Multiple message sign” means an outdoor advertising sign, display or device whose messages are on triangular louvered facings and are changed by electronic rotation of the louvers. Trans 201.15(2)(d)(d) “Public service information” means a message on an electronic sign which provides the time, date, temperature, weather, or information concerning civic, charitable or other noncommercial activities. Trans 201.15(2)(e)(e) “Segmented message” means any message or distinct subunit of a message presented by means of at least one display change on a variable message sign.