AB 284

This bill authorizes a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this

state to erect and maintain within the right-of-way of any highway within the

boundaries of an Indian reservation or other land held in trust for the tribe or band

a tribal nation welcome sign. Under the bill, “tribal nation welcome sign” means an

official sign erected and maintained by a federally recognized American Indian tribe

or band in this state that the tribe determines is necessary to inform motorists of the

territorial boundaries of tribal reservation and trust lands. The bill provides that

welcome signs may not be erected within the right-of-way of an interstate highway

and are not subject to the Wisconsin manual on traffic control devices adopted by the

Department of Transportation.

Under current law generally, no sign may be placed within the limits of any

street or highway except as necessary for the guidance or warning of traffic, the

safeguard of children at play, or to indicate the presence of a neighborhood watch

program. This prohibition does not apply to directional and other official signs or to

municipal welcome signs.