By: Sibley S.B. No. 1661 Line and page numbers may not match official copy. Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to access to utility poles of electric and telephone 1-3 utilities. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 54.257, Utilities Code, is amended to 1-6 read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 54.257. INTERFERENCE WITH ANOTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1-8 UTILITY. (a) If a telecommunications utility constructing or 1-9 extending the utility's lines, plant, or system interferes or 1-10 attempts to interfere with the operation of a line, plant, or 1-11 system of another utility, the commission by order may: 1-12 (1) prohibit the construction or extension; or 1-13 (2) prescribe terms for locating the affected lines, 1-14 plants, or systems. 1-15 (b) If a telecommunications utility or electric utility can 1-16 not reach a mutual understanding with another telecommunications or 1-17 electric utility for the rates, terms, and conditions of pole 1-18 attachments, the commission shall have the authority to determine 1-19 the rates, terms, and conditions. The commission has the authority 1-20 to adopt procedures necessary and appropriate to hear and resolve 1-21 complaints concerning such rates, terms, and conditions consistent 1-22 with the compensation methodology of Section 224 of the Federal 1-23 Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. Section 224). 2-1 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.