The N.C. House today voted 60-54 to accept Senate changes to a bill that would promote the interests of the billboard industry at the expense of trees, local government authority and scenic beauty.
House Bill 645, “Revisions to Outdoor Advertising Laws,” would undermine local ordinances designed to protect drivers from tall, bright, flashing, digital billboards. A provision explicitly limiting distracting digital billboards was included when the bill originally passed the House, but was removed by the Senate. The measure would give new life to hundreds of existing signs that don’t adhere to local ordinances by deeming them conforming.
Overall, H 645 would restrict the ability of local communities to control billboards, allow more tree-cutting along our highways, and open the door to taller, digitized billboards. The bill next goes to Gov. Roy Cooper for his consideration.
Statement of Molly Diggins, State Director, N.C. Sierra Club:
“The House today voted to send a measure to the governor’s desk that is chock full of concessions to a dying industry, at the expense of local government authority, the public’s trees, our state’s scenic beauty, and the safety of drivers. We urge Gov. Cooper to reject this shameless giveaway.”