00 CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 181(FIN)
01 "An Act relating to tourist oriented directional signs that are 90 inches in
02 width and 18 inches in height and to penalties for violations related to outdoor
03 advertising."
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
05 * Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; INTENT. (a) The Alaska State Legislature finds
06 that
07 (1) the scenic beauty of Alaska is unquestionably unique and is revered by
08 residents of the state as well as visitors to Alaska;
09 (2) it is imperative that the State of Alaska maintain its scenic highway system
10 throughout the state for the benefit of residents of Alaska and visitors to Alaska;
11 (3) it is also imperative that residents of Alaska and visitors to Alaska travel in
12 a safe manner on the state highway system and that the safety of the residents of Alaska and
13 visitors to Alaska be assured by a system of directional signing for traveler oriented attractions
14 and services.
01 (b) It is the intent of the Alaska State Legislature to provide better information to
02 motorists by authorizing a well planned and regulated system of directional signing for traveler
03 oriented attractions and services in a manner similar to the current tourist oriented directional
04 sign program that has been established under policies of the Department of Transportation and
05 Public Facilities and in a manner consistent with standards established by the Federal Highway
06 Administration and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
07 * Sec. 2. AS 19.25.105(a) is amended to read:
08 (a) Outdoor advertising may not be erected or maintained within 660 feet of
09 the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of the
10 interstate, primary, or secondary highways in this state except the following:
11 (1) directional and other official signs and notices which include, but
12 are not limited to, signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic
13 attractions, which are required or authorized by law, and which shall conform to
14 federal standards for interstate and primary systems;
15 (2) signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of property
16 upon which they are located or advertising activities conducted on the property;
17 (3) signs determined by the state, subject to concurrence of the United
18 States Department of Transportation, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm
19 structures, or natural surfaces, of historic or artistic significance, the preservation of
20 which would be consistent with the provisions of this chapter;
21 (4) directional signs and notices pertaining to schools;
22 (5) advertising on bus benches or bus shelters, and adjacent trash
23 receptacles, if the state determines that the advertising conforms to local, state, and
24 federal standards for interstate and primary highways;
25 (6) tourist oriented directional signs erected under (e) of this
26 section.
27 * Sec. 3. AS 19.25.105(d) is amended to read:
28 (d) Outdoor advertising may not be erected or maintained within the right-of-
29 way of an interstate, primary, or secondary highway except that outdoor advertising is allowed
30 on
31 (1) bus benches and bus shelters, and adjacent trash receptacles, located
01 within the right-of-way under the authority of a permit issued under AS 19.25.200, if
02 the bus benches or bus shelters are located within a borough or unified municipality
03 and the buses that stop at that location operate during the entire year; and
04 (2) tourist oriented directional signs erected under (e) of this
05 section.
06 * Sec. 4. AS 19.25.105 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
07 (e) The department shall establish a tourist oriented directional sign program.
08 The department shall erect, or permit the erection of, directional signs for traveler
09 oriented attractions and services within and outside of the rights-of-way of interstate,
10 primary, and secondary highways in areas zoned industrial or commercial or in
11 unzoned areas determined to be commercial or industrial areas. The signs may be
12 erected on private land adjacent to the rights-of-way of interstate, primary, and
13 secondary highways in this state if permission for the erection of the sign is granted
14 by the owner of the private land. The sign, excluding posts, must be 90 inches in
15 width and 18 inches in height and may contain only the name of the attraction or the
16 business providing the attraction or service, an icon representing the attraction or
17 service, the distance to the attraction or service, and a directional arrow. The location
18 of directional signs within a right-of-way and the design and content of directional
19 signs must be consistent with standards approved by the Federal Highway
20 Administration. The department shall retain control over the location of directional
21 signs. In scenic areas, the department shall control the location of directional signs in
22 a manner that maintains the quality of scenic areas.
23 * Sec. 5. AS 19.25.130 is amended to read:
24 Sec. 19.25.130. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION. A person who violates
25 AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180, or a regulation adopted under AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180
26 [THEM], is guilty of a violation [MISDEMEANOR] and upon conviction is
27 punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000.
28 * Sec. 6. AS 19.45.002 is amended to read:
29 Sec. 19.45.002. PENALTIES. A person who violates a [ANY] provision of
30 AS 19.05 - AS 19.25, other than a provision of AS 19.25.080 - 19.25.180, is guilty
31 of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not less than $10 nor
01 more than $500, or by imprisonment in jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by
02 both.
03 * Sec. 7. 17 AAC 20.010 is annulled.