Yesterday, I sat in a workgroup on digital billboards.  HB 5580 has been introduced which would create a two-year moratorium on all digital billboards.  Supporters of the bill, including Scenic Michigan, have said that digital billboards are a visual distraction to drivers and a public safety risk.  They have asked for a moratorium on new billboards until a federal study can be completed this year that would make determinations on public safety risks and make recommendations.  Opponents, including the billboard industry, have said that these billboards are easier and more cost effective for advertisers, that they are not a driver distraction, and that they can be used for amber alerts (which is contested by the State Police and broadcasters). 

The League supports the bill because we believe that these digital billboards are a public safety hazard and need to be regulated for motion, brightness and other areas.  We believe that the federal study should be finalized and released, and the Legislature should take appropriate action for regulations.  In the meantime, though, there should be a moratorium.  If there is not a moratorium in place, there will be many more nonconforming billboards that communities will have to deal with.  These would be grandfathered in and won’t have to follow new regulations. It would be costly to force them to be in compliance. 

I am looking to provide the committee with information on local regulations.  If you regulate digital billboards (or ban them) locally, please let me know.  Also, the industry has released a new list of compromise options.  We will have them up for people to review shortly. 

Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email.

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