Bill HF3320, SF0485

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to transportation and tourism; establishing statewide moratorium on new
1.3          billboards; declaring existing billboards nonconforming uses;amending Minnesota
1.4          Statutes 2024, section 462.357, subdivision 1c; proposing coding for new law in
1.5          Minnesota Statutes, chapter 173.
1.6          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7          Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
 1.8        The legislature recognizes Minnesota is a state that is known for its natural beauty and
1.9          its economy benefits from tourism. Billboards significantly undermine that beauty and make
1.10       the state less attractive to tourists. The legislature finds that Minnesota already has a large
1.11       number of billboards, and it is in the public interest to establish a moratorium on new
1.12       billboards in order to provide natural and economic benefits to the state.

1.13       Sec. 2. [173.28] NEW BILLBOARDS PROHIBITED.
1.14                       Subdivision 1.Definition. For purposes of this section, "billboard" means an advertising
1.15       device as defined in section 173.02, subdivision 16, except that it includes advertising
1.16       devices visible to any person, whether they are in a motor vehicle or not.
1.17                       Subd. 2.Ban on new billboards. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, after
1.18       the effective date of this section, no state agency or political subdivision may issue a permit
1.19       for or otherwise authorize a new billboard anywhere in the state. An ordinance, charter
1.20       provision, or policy that conflicts with this section is void and not enforceable.
1.21                       Subd. 3.Existing billboards are nonconforming. Existing billboards are nonconforming
1.22       uses subject to sections 394.36 and 462.357, subdivision 1e.

2.1          EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.2          Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462.357, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:
2.3                          Subd. 1c.Amortization prohibited. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision,
2.4          a municipality must not enact, amend, or enforce an ordinance providing for the elimination
2.5          or termination of a use by amortization which use was lawful at the time of its inception.
2.6          This subdivision does not apply to billboards as defined in section 173.28, adults-only
2.7          bookstores, adults-only theaters, or similar adults-only businesses, as defined by ordinance.

2.8          EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.