2023 Tennessee Code › Title 54 - HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES AND FERRIES (§§ 54-1-101 — 54-22-105) › Chapter 21 - BILLBOARD REGULATION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1972 (§§ 54-21-101 — 54-21-120) › Section 54-21-107 - Acquisition by commissioner of outdoor advertising devices along the interstate and primary highway systems

(a)
The commissioner is authorized to acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation, and to pay just compensation upon the removal of the following outdoor advertising devices in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems:
(1)
Those lawfully in existence on April 4, 1972; and
(2)
Those lawfully erected on or after April 4, 1972.
(b)
(1)
Compensation is authorized to be made only for the following:
(A)
The taking from the owner of the outdoor advertising device of all right, title, leasehold, and interest in the outdoor advertising device; and
(B)
The taking from the owner of the real property on which the outdoor advertising device is located, of the right to erect and maintain the outdoor advertising device on the property.
(2)
If funds other than federal funds are used, the state shall follow the following order of purchasing priorities:
(A)
Volunteer nonconforming outdoor advertising devices;
(B)
Hardship situations;
(C)
Normal value signs;
(D)
Signs in areas that are designated scenic or parkway;
(E)
Product advertising on:
(i)
Rural interstate;
(ii)
Rural primary; and
(iii)
Urban areas;
(F)
Non-tourist-oriented directional advertising; and
(G)
Tourist-oriented devices.
(3)
All funds other than federal funds, acquired by the state from whatever source for the purpose of acquiring nonconforming outdoor advertising devices, must be appropriated by the general assembly to the department and shall not be earmarked for acquisitions at any particular location.
(4)
Funds obtained from private sources not appropriated within one (1) year revert to the donor.
(5)
Upon funds being made available, owners of outdoor advertising device must be notified of the availability of the funds for the purpose of volunteering nonconforming outdoor advertising devices for purchase by the state.
(c)
Upon the request of the commissioner, the owner of the outdoor advertising devices and the owner of the property upon which the outdoor advertising device is located who are seeking compensation as provided under subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B) shall present evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the outdoor advertising device in question was in existence or lawfully erected, as the case may be, on, before, or after the appropriate dates set out in subdivisions (a)(1) and (2). Except by court order, the commissioner shall not make any payment under subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B) until the proof has been presented. Notwithstanding this chapter, those outdoor advertising devices legally in existence on April 4, 1972, are entitled to remain in place and in use until compensation for removal has been made as provided in this section.
(d)
In determining whether any outdoor advertising device is lawful or unlawful, any failure to have obtained a license or permit, or to have attached a permit, or failure to have complied with setback requirements is not a cause for declaring any outdoor advertising device unlawful. Any person having constructed, erected, operated, used, maintained, or having caused or permitted any outdoor advertising device to be constructed, erected, operated, used, or maintained, shall pay the fee prescribed by §
54-21-104
; provided, that the outdoor advertising device was erected prior to April 4, 1972.
Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 706, s 8, eff. 6/22/2020.
Acts 1972, ch. 655, § 7; T.C.A., § 54-2607; Acts 1982, ch. 865, § 8.