Outdoor advertisers can start taking chain saws to trees that block their signs under legislation signed into law Thursday by Gov. Nathan Deal

House Bill 179 allows billboard owners to clear-cut trees on the public rights of way in front of their signs. The measure passed the Legislature this year after a decade-long battle between the industry and advocates of beautified highways.

Deal signed 115 other bills into law Thursday. Most were local legislation.

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Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia Executive Director Peter J. Skandalakis speaks during a press conference Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. He appointed himself to take over the  election interference case after he couldn’t find another district attorney willing to do so. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

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Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC