FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009

Anti-Digital Billboards Bill Defeated in California

Sacramento, CA ­ California lawmakers rejected a de facto ban on digital billboards in the state Thursday. The bipartisan 10-3 vote in the Governmental Organization Committee signaled support for jobs and local control, and the panel did not accept claims that digital billboards were unsafe.

“Lawmakers heard all the arguments and voted against a draconian bill which would have hurt the economy, stifled innovation, and denied communities powerful communication tools,” said Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) President and CEO Nancy Fletcher.

The anti-digital billboard legislation, AB 109, was sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles). Among the employers and organizations opposing the bill were the Motion Picture Association of America, the California Travel Industry Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, a host of local Chambers of Commerce, and OAAA.

Digital billboards are allowed under federal guidelines and there are more than 1,400 of them in the United States. The vast majority are connected to the AMBER Alert system and perform other vital public services, in addition to providing a valuable service to local advertisers.

OAAA is the trade association representing the outdoor advertising industry. It is dedicated to leading and uniting a responsible outdoor advertising industry that is committed to serving the needs of consumers, advertisers, and the public. The nearly 1,000 OAAA member companies generate $7.0 billion annually in ad revenues, representing more than 90% of industry income, and donate space to charitable organizations in excess of $400 million each year.

Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA)
1850 M Street NW Suite 1040
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-833-5566
E-Mail: jgolimowski@oaaa.org
Website URL: www.oaaa.org