Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 143 amends the Natural Resources Code to expand provisions governing standards for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electrical power lines by requiring an operator to construct, operate, and maintain electrical power line poles in a manner that ensures the prevention and remediation of any readily observable deficiencies.

House Bill 143 requires a landowner or lessee who discovers a condition involving certain electrical equipment that does not meet those standards to provide written notice of the condition to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). The bill sets out procedures requiring the RRC to notify the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the operator if the RRC discovers a readily observable condition involving such equipment during certain inspections or on the receipt of such a written notice. The bill also provides for procedures to resolve the condition and authorizes RRC personnel to enter public or private property as necessary for purposes of conducting an applicable inspection.