§ 27-74-206 - Removal -- Directional sign exemption.
27-74-206. Removal -- Directional sign exemption.
(a) The State Highway Commission, upon receipt of a declaration, resolution, certified copy of an ordinance, or other clear direction from a community, board of county commissioners, municipality, county, city, a specific region or area of the state, or other governmental or quasi-governmental agency that removal of motorist services directional signs would cause an economic hardship in a defined area shall forward this declaration, resolution, or finding to the Secretary of Transportation for inclusion as a defined hardship area qualifying for exemption pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 131(o).
(b) Any declaration or resolution submitted to the commission shall further find that the motorist services signs provide directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public and shall request the retention in the specified areas by the state of directional motorist services signs as defined herein.
(c) The commission shall comply with all regulations issued both now and hereafter by the Federal Highway Administration necessary for application for the exemption provided in 23 U.S.C. 131(o), provided that the motorist services directional signs were lawfully erected under state law at the time of their erection and were in existence on or prior to May 5, 1976.