The secretary of transportation may purchase or otherwise contract for or institute condemnation proceedings pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 26-501 et seq. for the purpose of the removal of the signs described in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 68-2238. If the secretary does not institute such condemnation proceedings prior to the removal of such signs, and such signs are removed by the owner upon the written request of the secretary, the person or persons entitled to compensation may file a claim for compensation within one hundred eighty (180) days after removal is completed. Such compensation shall be paid upon presentation to the secretary of such information as the secretary may reasonably require. If the secretary of transportation and a claimant do not reach agreement on the amount of compensation payable to such claimant in respect to any removal within one hundred twenty (120) days after the filing of such claim, the claimant may institute a civil action in district court to have such compensation determined.

Such action may be commenced in the county where the sign and land are located, in the claimant’s county of residence or in Shawnee county, but it must be commenced not later than one (1) year after the filing with the secretary of such claim for compensation.