1997-04-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 1318
SB 56                                                                        
Message dated and received April 18 was read, stating:                         
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. II, sec. 15 of the Alaska Constitution, I          
have vetoed the following bill:                                                
                                                                               
SENATE BILL NO. 56 am H                                                       
An Act relating to tourist oriented directional signs                         
that are 90 inches in width and 18 inches in height,                           
relating to penalties for violations related to outdoor                        
advertising, and annulling a regulation of the                                 
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.                            
                                                                               
                                                                               

1997-04-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 1319
SB 56                                                                        
As I stated when I vetoed a similar bill last year, the State of Alaska        
needs to be responsive to the signage needs of our highway-based               
visitor industry.  This segment of the industry is predominantly               
locally-owned, it has not benefitted from the same growth as other             
segments of the industry, and Alaskans living along the highway                
have convinced me there is a need for better signage.  They want               
the right sign, with the right message, in the right place.                    
                                                                               
This Administration has responded to their needs.  At my direction,            
and after considerable public comment, the Department of                       
Transportation and Public Facilities has adopted  regulation changes           
that allow for a wide variety of effective signs within our highway            
rights-of-way.  These regulatory changes for standardized signs will           
ensure our visitors are provided with clear directions to the                  
attractions and services they seek, and that Alaska businesses get the         
help they need.  Dozens of businesses already have right-of-way                
signs under trial versions of some of these programs.  I believe the           
bolstered set of programs proposed by the department will meet                 
Alaskas sign needs for many years to come.                                     
                                                                               
As a result of these efforts, there simply is no need for SB 56.  I            
am vetoing the bill because it endangers the spectacular, unblemished          
scenery Alaskans and visitors alike so highly value.  For the first            
time in Alaska history, this bill will allow the renting of sign space         
on private land outside the highway right-of-way, up to 800 feet off           
the highway.  With the precedent set to permit these signs, it would           
only be a matter of time until advertisers demand bigger and bigger            
signs.  That spells billboards.                                                
                                                                               
The bill even adds to the likelihood of billboards popping into                
Alaskas landscape by  removing strict enforcement tools already on             
the books which have successfully prevented a proliferation of illegal         
signs.  The bill reduces the current misdemeanor penalty for illegal           
signs to a mere violation punishable by a small fine.  In addition,            
allowing signs on private property means court action will be                  
required to enforce the law.  This combination of reduced penalties            
and obstacles to enforcement simply ties our hands, making it nearly           
                                                                               
                                                                               

1997-04-21                     Senate Journal                      Page 1320
SB 56                                                                        
impossible and impractical for the State of Alaska to stop someone             
from putting up a billboard.   This bill suggests scenic areas should          
be the exception in Alaska; I believe they should be the rule.                 
                                                                               
Since territorial days, Alaskas elected leaders have resisted the urge         
to clutter the  magnificent landscape of the Last Frontier with                
billboards.  Alaska is proud to lead the nation in protecting its scenic       
beauty.  Overwhelmingly, Alaskans support protecting our great state           
from the litter of billboards.  I do not intend to break from this             
important tradition.                                                           
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor