Senate advances campaign-sign bill aimed at highway safety while senators push for clearer limits

Senate Bill 181, presented by Senator McKell on Feb. 14, would give transportation authorities discretion to remove campaign signs placed where they create a public‑safety hazard, allow cost recovery of $15 per sign, and create an appeal process for sign owners.

Sponsor said the bill targets dangerous placements — for example, large signs on merge lanes — and is not intended as a punitive measure: "This is not designed to be... a super tough on crime type bill. It's designed to keep our roadways safe. Campaign signs should not be on merge lanes," the sponsor said.

Senators asked practical and fairness questions. Senator McKay and others asked who decides when a sign is a hazard and whether existing authority already allows removal. Senators warned the bill could be used politically without transparent recordkeeping; one asked whether records should be kept on which candidate’s signs were removed to show nonpartisan enforcement. Sponsor agreed to consider requiring documentation and said the legislation uses a preponderance-of-evidence standard and an appeal process.

The bill also allows local transportation authorities to remove signs "authorized by law or that create a public safety hazard" and gives the authority discretion; senators flagged the "or" language as potentially broad and suggested substituting "and" or otherwise ensuring both prongs are met before removal.

What happens next: Sponsor said she will work with colleagues to refine language on recordkeeping and standards before final votes.