An Act To Permit the Use of Pictorial Graphics and Photographs on Changeable Signs
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0830
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: BROWNE, GOOLEY, AYOTTE, CEBRA, FITTS, HOGAN, THOMAS, SHERMAN
Amends: 23 MRSA §1914

Legislative Document 
No. 830 
H.P.627 
House of Representatives, February 20, 2007 
An Act To Permit the Use of Pictorial Graphics and Photographs on 
Changeable Signs 
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 16,2007. Referred to the Committee on 
Transportation pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401. 
Presented by Representative BROWNE of Vassalboro. 
Cosponsored by Senator GOOLEY of Franklin and 
~~ 
/h.11!u£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: AYOTTE of Caswell, CEBRA of Naples, FITTS of Pittsfield, HOGAN of 
Old Orchard Beach, McLEOD of Lee, THOMAS of Ripley, Senator: SHERMAN of 
Aroostook. 
PnnteJ un n'c~ckJ paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §1914, sub-§ll-A, ~A, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 268, §3, is 
amended to read: 
A. 
As used in this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following 
terms have the following meanings. 
(1) 
"Changeable sign" means an 
on-premise sign 
created, designed, 
manufactured or modified in such a way that its message may be electronically, 
digitally or mechanically altered by the complete substitution or replacement of 
one display by another on each side. 
(2) "Display" means that portion of the surface area of a changeable sign that is, 
II 
or is designed to be or is capable of being periodically altered for the purpose of 
conveymg a message. 
(3) "Lot of record" means a lot for which the deed was legally recorded, or 
wfl.tclt that was created by a plan legally recorded, in the registry of deeds for the 
county where the lot is located. Contiguous lots of record in the same ownership 
are considered one lot. 
(4) "Message" means a communication conveyed by means of a visual display of 
text, a graphic element or pictorial or photographic image. 
(5) "Sign assembly" means the display, border, trim and all supporting apparatus, 
including posts, columns, pedestals and foundation. 
(6) "Time and temperature sign" means a changeable sign that electronically or 
mechanically displays the time and temperature by the complete substitution or 
replacement of a display showing the time with a display showing the 
temperature. 
Sec. 2. 23 MRSA §1914, sub-§ll-A, ~, as amended by PL 2005, c. 482, §3, is 
further amended to read: 
B. 
The display on each side of a changeable sign: 
(I) 
May be changed' no more than once every 20 minutes, unless the 
municipality in which the sign is located adopts an ordinance to the contrary and 
notifies the Department of Transportation in writing of that ordinance. 
If a 
municipal ordinance is adopted, the municipality is responsible for the 
administration of that ordinance; 
(2) 
Must change as rapidly as technologically practicable, with no phasing, 
rolling, scrolling, flashing or blending, unless the municipality in which the sign 
is located adopts an ordinance to the contrary and notifies the Department of 
Transportation in writing of that ordinance. If a municipal ordinance is adopted, 
the municipality is responsible for the administration of that ordinance. 
Notwithstanding this subparagraph, a municipality may not adopt an ordinance 
that allows the sign to flash or display continuous streaming of information or 
video animation; and 
Page I - 123LR2012(OI)-1 
(3) 
May consist oo-Iy of alphabetic or numeric text on a plain 9.L colored. 
background and may Ret include atty graphic, pictorIal or photographic images. 
Sec. 3. 23 MRSA §1914, sub-§l1-A, ~C, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 268, §3, is 
repealed. 
SUMMARY 
This bill allows the use of graphic, pictorial or photographic images on changeable 
sIgns.