2001 -- H 5825

=======
LC01166
=======

A  N     A   C   T

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 11-22-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-22 entitled "Highways" is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-22-2. Injuries to road signs -- Advertising on highway. -- A person who willfully or maliciously displaces, removes, injures, destroys, or places a political advertisement or inscription on any telephone pole, utility pole, traffic control device or highway sign post a mile board, mile stone, danger sign or signal, or guide sign or post lawfully within a public highway; or who, in any manner paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes, or causes to be painted, printed, placed, or affixed, any business, commercial advertisement on or to any stone, tree, fence, stump, pole, building, or other object which is the property of another, without first obtaining the written consent of the owner, or who in any manner paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes, or causes to be painted, placed, or affixed, any business, commercial advertisement on or to any stone, tree, fence, stump, pole, mile board, mile stone, danger sign, danger signal, guide sign, guide post, billboard, building, or other object within the limits of a public highway, without first obtaining the written consent of the chief of police of the city or town in which the highway is located, is punishable shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days, or both. In addition, the offender shall be required to pay any and all expenses incurred in the repair or replacement of such the mile board, mile stone, danger sign, signal, guide sign, or post. telephone pole, utility pole, traffic control device or highway sign post. Any advertisement in or upon a public highway in violation of the provisions of this section may be taken down, removed, or destroyed by anyone. In addition, any and all costs incurred by this state due to damages/loss under this section shall be fully reimbursed by the party or parties causing the damage.

SECTION 2. Chapter 11-22-2.1 of the General Laws entitled "Highways" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

11-22-2.1. Advertising on highways. -- A person who affixes any posting, sign or other advertisement intended for the purpose of soliciting business to any telephone pole, utility pole, traffic control device or highway sign post without just obtaining the written consent of the chief of police of the city or town in which the highway is located, or to any private property which is the property of another, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) days or both. Any advertisement in or upon a public highway in violation of this section may be taken down, removed or destroyed by anyone.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======
LC01166
=======

EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF

***

This act is intended to provide that no advertisements shall be affixed to utility or telephone poles, traffic control devices or highway sign posts and provides for appropriate punishment if such sign is so affixed. Section 11-22.2-1 also provides that written consent of the police chief of city or town shall avoid punishment.

This act would take effect upon passage.