Senate committee examines statewide moratorium on billboards; proponents cite safety and scenic benefits, industry warns economic harm

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Senate Transportation Committee heard competing testimony Feb. 12 on Senate File 4-85, a bill from Senator Marty that would place a statewide moratorium on new off‑premise billboards, declare existing off‑premise billboards nonconforming and allow jurisdictions to phase removal via amortization. After extended testimony from both supporters and the outdoor‑advertising industry, the committee laid the bill on the table.

Senator John Marty (sponsor) framed the bill as a modest, statewide moratorium that preserves local control for existing billboards while preventing new installations. “It’s just simply saying, don't we have enough billboards?” Marty said, adding concerns about scenic character, safety and taxpayer costs when billboards must be removed for road projects.

Mark Falzone, president of Scenic America, told the committee his group supports the bill, citing studies that link billboards — especially digital and dynamic signs — to driver distraction and increased risk of accidents. Falzone also highlighted energy and…