(a) It is the intent and purpose of this section to require the State Highway Commission to act on each application for a permit for the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising coming within the purview of this chapter within sixty (60) days after such application is filed with the commission to assure the prompt disposition of such applications and to avoid the unnecessary hardship and expense to applicants which could result from unreasonable delay in taking action on the applications.
(b) When an application is filed with the commission or the Arkansas Department of Transportation under § 27-74-211 or rules adopted pursuant thereto for a permit to erect or maintain outdoor advertising, the commission or the department shall either grant or deny such permit within sixty (60) days from the date on which the application was filed with the commission or the department.