Senate Joint Resolution No. 137 requested representatives of the Department of Highways and Transportation, the Highway Safety Division, the Highway and Transportation Research Council, the Governor's Advisory Committee on Outdoor Advertising, the Garden Club of Virginia, and the Department of State Police to undertake a cooperative study of the feasibility of utilizing new outdoor advertising mechanisms, including electronic information displays and message centers with variable copy to accommodate advertising needs along Virginia highways. The agency representatives suggested Mr. R. L. Hundley act as Chairman of the group which will hereinafter be referred to as the committee.

The committee has considered at length various aspects of permitting businesses to use electronically operated information displays and other forms of variable message advertising which involve motion, rotation, or intermittent light or lights to advertise their products and services.

The use of electronic information displays or message centers and other forms of variable message advertising is currently prohibited within 100 feet of the pavement edge of any highway in accordance with Section 33.1-369 (2) of the State Code. However, except for the Interstate system, the Code permits displays which involve motion, rotation, or intermittent light or lights within 100 feet of the edge of pavement when such displays convey solely public service information including time, temperature, weather, and other similar information. Upon completion of a cooperative study, participants were to report to the Governor and the General Assembly and offer such legislative and other recommendations necessary, based on its findings.