People Ex Rel. Department of Transportation v. Naegele Outdoor Advertising Co.

Opinion

GRODIN, J.

This case presents the question whether the State of California may regulate billboards on Indian reservations. Upon examination of the statutes, legislative history, and precedents involved, we conclude that the state’s regulatory authority is preempted by federal law.

This consolidated appeal stems from two separate judgments entered after the trial court granted each plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. Both cases, tried separately below, raise substantially the same issues and involve the same defendant. Because resolution of these issues will have a significant effect…