0735: COMMITTEE SUMMARY (10-4-04) - TOURIST-ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

TOURIST-ORIENTED DIRECTIONAL SIGNS S.B. 735: COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 735 (as introduced 9-25-03)
Sponsor: Senator Jason E. Allen
Committee: Transportation

Date Completed: 10-4-04

CONTENT The bill would amend Public Act 299 of 1996, which regulates tourism signs on certain rural roads, to allow the operator of a tourist-oriented attraction to erect a tourist-oriented directional sign within the jurisdiction of a local unit of government with approval of the local governing body.

Under the Act, if the operator of a tourist-oriented activity wishes to participate in a directional sign program, the operator must apply to the Michigan Department of Transportation and pay a fee upon being issued a permit. The bill would make an exception to this requirement. Under the bill, if an operator applied to a local unit of government (i.e., a city, village, township, or county) for permission to erect a tourist-oriented directional sign within the local unit's jurisdiction, and the governing body approved the application, the operator would have to be granted a permit to construct the sign.

The Act defines "tourist-oriented activity" as a lawful cultural, historical, recreational, educational, or commercial activity that is attended annually by at least 2,000 people and for which a major portion of the activity's income or visitors is derived during the normal business season from motorists not residing in the immediate area of the activity. "Tourist-oriented directional sign" means a sign used to provide motorists with advanced notice of a tourist-oriented activity.

The Act required the Department to implement a program for the placement of tourist-directional signs and markers within the right-of-way of those portions of rural roads within State jurisdiction. "Rural road" means a highway but does not include a road or street within the boundaries of an incorporated city or village, a limited access highway, or a road that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

MCL 247.401 & 247.403 Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: Craig Thiel

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb735/0304