March 13, 2009

March 13, 2009
To: AAF California Members
From: Clark Rector, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs
Re: Assembly Bill 109

Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) has introduced Assembly Bill 109, which would put a two-year moratorium on the construction of digital billboards or the conversion of standard billboards to digital in California.

This is an opportunity for the local advertising federations across California to show support for your outdoor advertising members by expressing opposition to this legislation. AB 109 should be opposed because:

• Digital billboards benefit California businesses by helping them reach customers.
• More than 770,000 Californians work for companies that advertise on traditional and/or digital billboards.
• Digital billboards generate increased property tax revenue through higher assessments.
• Local jurisdictions already regulate digital billboards—they are best able to decide what is most appropriate for their communities.
• The federal government restricts the use of full-motion video and flashing on digital billboards.
• No documented safety issues have been raised about the use of digital billboards.
• Digital billboards can enhance public safety by being updated instantly to provide public service messages to countless drivers in an emergency.

The bill is scheduled to be considered in the Assembly Committee on Judiciary on Tuesday March 17. Please have members of your advertising federation contact the members of the committee and express opposition to AB 109. E-mail addresses for committee members can be found on the Committee on Judiciary Web site at http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=15.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at crector@aaf.org or (800) 999-2231 if you have any comments or questions.