75-15-123. Acquisition of outdoor advertising rights -- compensation. (1) The department may acquire by gift, purchase, agreement, exchange, or eminent domain existing outdoor advertising and property rights pertaining to advertising that was lawfully in existence on June 24, 1971, and which by virtue of 75-15-111(1) is nonconforming. Eminent domain shall be exercised in accordance with the laws of the state.
     (2) Just compensation shall be paid for outdoor advertising and property rights pertaining to the advertising acquired through the process of eminent domain. The department may remove outdoor advertising found in violation of 75-15-112 or 75-15-132 without payment of compensation.
     (3) Except as provided in 75-15-131 and 75-15-132, a sign may not be required to be removed unless at the time of removal or discontinuance there are sufficient funds, from whatever source, appropriated and immediately available to pay the just compensation required under this section and unless at that time the federal funds required to be contributed under section 131(g) of Title 23, United States Code, with respect to the outdoor advertising being removed have been apportioned and are immediately available to this state.

     History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 2, 2nd Ex. L. 1971; amd. Sec. 166, Ch. 316, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 216, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 32-4723(part); amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 68, L. 1979.