WEST virginia Legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2505

By Delegates Gearheart, Mandt, Ferrell, Zatezalo, Storch, Howell, Smith, Paynter, Bridges, Maynard, and J. Jeffries

[Introduced February 15, 2021; Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §17-22-26, relating to outdoor advertising regulated by the Commissioner of Highways; and providing exemption to licensing requirement for a person to place signs, displays or devices advertising events to be held no more frequently than once a year at locations other than where the event will be held.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 22. OUTDOOR ADVERTISING.

§17-22-26.  Exception.

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this article or rules promulgated under this article, and subject to subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, a person may place signs, displays, or devices advertising events to be held no more frequently than once a year at locations other than where the event will be held, without obtaining a license under this article.

(2) The signs, displays, or devices may be placed up to three weeks in advance of the event.

(3) The events allowed to be advertised under this section are limited to events such as auctions, festivals, revivals, special sales, and similar activities, as well as events sponsored by not-for-profit organizations.

(b) This section does not authorize the placement of a sign, display, or device on highway rights-of-way or other property without permission of the property owner.

(c) The exception provided in subsection (a) of this section does not apply to persons engaging in the business of commercially providing signs, displays, or devices for use by others.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow a person to place signs, displays or devices advertising events to be held no more frequently than once a year at locations other than where the event will be held, without obtaining a license from the Commissioner of Highways.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.