Bandit signs outlawed in Texas !!
Texas House Bill 3611 targets unauthorized “bandit signs” in public rights‑of‑way and establishes a clearer, tougher civil penalty scheme with statewide reach starting September 1, 2025. The law defines who can be held liable, requires written notice for a first offense, and escalates fines up to $5,000 for repeat violations. What it covers - Applies to “signs” placed on the right‑of‑way of a public road unless otherwise authorized by law, covering typical bandit signs on medians, shoulders, sidewalks, and utility strips along roads. - Expands “person” to include business owners and connected parties (employees, agents, independent contractors, assignees, alter egos, successors), broadening who can be held liable beyond whoever physically posts the sign. Penalties - Civil penalties only (not criminal): enforcement proceeds in civil court by municipal, county, or district attorneys within the relevant jurisdiction. - Escalating fine schedule: up to $1,000\$1{,}000$1,000 for a first violation, $2,500\$2{,}500$2,500 for a second, and $5,000\$5{,}000$5,000 for a third or subsequent violation, replacing the prior range of $500\$500$500–$1,000\$1{,}000$1,000 per violation. - Prospective application: applies to violations occurring on or after September 1, 2025; earlier violations remain governed by prior law. First‑offense notice and cure - Written notice is required before assessing a civil penalty for the first violation, giving a specified period to remove the sign; if removal doesn’t occur within that period, the first‑tier penalty can be imposed. - This “notice‑and‑cure” aims to provide fairness on the first offense while preserving stronger consequences for ongoing violations. Who can be held liable - Liability extends to anyone who places the sign, commissions its placement, or whose commercial advertisement appears on the sign—closing the common loophole of claiming a third party posted it without authorization. - The broadened “person” definition captures business entities and their agents/contractors, aligning accountability with those benefiting from the advertising.