27:5-6. Findings, declarations

2. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. In order to balance the promotion of the safety, convenience and enjoyment of travel on the highways of this State with the protection of the recreational value and public investment therein, to preserve and enhance the natural scenic beauty and aesthetic features of the highways and adjacent areas while promoting development and economic vitality and facilitating the flow of speech and expression, of which providing messages of commercial, public and social value conveyed through the medium of roadside signs and outdoor advertising is an important part, roadside signs and outdoor advertising shall be regulated by this act.

b. With respect to the erection and maintenance of signs adjacent to the rights-of-way of the Interstate and Primary Systems within this State, it is the intention of the Legislature to provide a basis in the laws of this State for the regulation of roadside signs and outdoor advertising consistent with the public policy relating to those areas declared by the Congress of the United States in Title 23 of the United States Code and reflecting statutory enactments and judicial decisions of this State.

c. Supervision and regulation of signs and outdoor advertising, pursuant to the provisions of this act, shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner of Transportation and any person who creates or maintains any signs visible to the public shall be subject to the permitting and licensing provisions of this act and any regulations adopted by the Department of Transportation pursuant to this act.

L.1991,c.413,s.2.