INDIANAPOLIS | A House panel granted initial approval Tuesday to moving interstate billboards into the digital age.

Sponsored by state Rep. Dan Stevenson, D-Highland, House Bill 1373 would have Indiana join the majority of states that permit electronic billboards. It passed the Indiana House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee 12-0.

Electronic billboards can be used for weather and disaster bulletins, which Stevenson said "really would have been helpful (Tuesday during the heavy snows)." The displays, which morph to a different advertisement every several seconds, also are used to display missing persons information in other states.

"I think there's a few spots around Lake County that would definitely be appropriate for a digital sign and would be attractive to advertisers," said Jon Terpstra, vice president and general manager for Lamar Advertising, which owns billboards along the Borman Expressway, the Indiana Toll Road and Interstate 65.

Of the 46 states that allow any billboards, 42 already permit digital displays, Terpstra said. Another industry representative said the displays change every six to eight seconds and advertisers aren't allowed to use videos or flashing images that might distract drivers. HB 1373 now goes to the full House.