1997 Minnesota Statutes

     160.80 Sign franchise program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Commissioner may establish program.  
 (a) The commissioner of transportation may establish a sign 
 franchise program for the purpose of providing on the 
 right-of-way of interstate and controlled-access trunk highways 
 specific information on gas, food, camping, and lodging, for the 
 benefit of the motoring public.  

    (b) The sign franchise program must include urban 
 interstate highways.  The commissioner may implement policies 
 that apply only to signs on interstate highways in urban areas, 
 such as distance requirements from the interstate for eligible 
 services, priority issues, and mixing of service logos. 

    Subd. 2.    Franchises.  The commissioner may, by public 
 negotiation or bid, grant one or more franchises to qualified 
 persons to erect and maintain, on the right-of-way of interstate 
 and controlled-access trunk highways, signs informing the 
 motoring public of gas, food, lodging, and camping facilities.  
 A franchisee shall furnish, install, maintain, and replace signs 
 for the benefit of advertisers who provide gas, food, lodging, 
 and camping facilities for the general public, and lease 
 advertising space on the signs to operators of these facilities. 

    Subd. 3.    Costs.  All costs incurred under the program 
 established by this section must be paid under agreements 
 negotiated between a franchisee and an advertiser or 
 advertisers, unless otherwise provided in the contract between 
 the commissioner and the franchisee.  

    Subd. 4.    Contract requirements.  All contracts made 
 by the commissioner with a franchisee must provide for:  

    (1) a requirement that the franchisee obtain liability 
 insurance in an amount the commissioner determines, jointly 
 insuring the state and the franchisee against all liability for 
 claims for damages occurring wholly or in part because of the 
 franchise; and 

    (2) reasonable standards for the size, design, erection, 
 and maintenance of service information signs and the advertising 
 logos thereon.  

    The commissioner may require additional terms and 
 conditions, including but not limited to provisions on the 
 renewal and termination of the agreement, and in the event of 
 termination the rights of the state and franchisee relative to 
 the franchisee's advertising contracts.  

    Subd. 5.    Restrictions.  The commissioner shall take 
 no action under this section which will result in the loss to 
 the state of any federal highway construction funds.  

    Subd. 6. Repealed, 1988 c 629 s 64 

    HIST: 1984 c 417 s 12; 1986 c 444; 1993 c 128 s 1