Brewer signs Arizona bill on electronic billboards

Arizona has a new law that allows electronic billboards in the Phoenix area and much of southwestern Arizona but not the rest of the state, including areas where astronomy observatories are located.

A bill signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday is a compromise negotiated by the billboard industry and observatory officials.

It replaces an earlier version that Brewer vetoed. That measure would have legalized existing billboards ruled illegal under a November court ruling.

Brewer vetoed the initial bill because billboard officials expressed fear that the signs’ lighting would have threatened the observatories and the jobs they provide.

The replacement bill signed by Brewer is an emergency measure that takes effect immediately.