Senate approves substitute for political-sign rules, adds ownership presumption and parking-strip permission

Senator Vickers presented a first substitute to House Bill 33 that adds two principal changes: a presumption that a sign placed in support of a candidate is owned by that candidate or their supporting committee, and a provision allowing signs to be placed in a parking/mowing strip adjacent to private property if the property owner has given permission. Senator Vickers described the substitute as addressing identification of sign ownership and municipal handling of stray signs.

Senator Reby asked about the bill's line making violations a class B misdemeanor and urged higher fines instead of jail time. Reby raised repeated concerns about signs placed on overpasses and the burden on municipalities to remove and manage illegally placed signs. Senator Vickers responded that enhanced penalties are part of current statute and that overpass signage is already prohibited.

The Senate substituted and passed the first substitute by roll call (27 yay, 0 nay, 2 absent). Sponsors said municipalities would be able to gather stray signs and provide a pickup location for candidates; opponents and some members urged stricter penalties for repeated illegal placement particularly on overpasses.