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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the |
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Texas Department of Transportation. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H-1. COORDINATION OF BROADBAND INSTALLATION |
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Sec. 201.671. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Broadband" means a mass-market retail service by |
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wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and |
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receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, |
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including capabilities that are incidental to and enable the |
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operation of the service. The term includes a service that is |
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functionally equivalent to the service described by this |
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subdivision. |
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(2) "Broadband conduit" means a conduit, pipe, |
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innerduct, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that |
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supports broadband and wireless facilities for broadband. |
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Sec. 201.672. DUTIES. (a) The department shall encourage |
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and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install, or improve |
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broadband conduit in highway rights-of-way in conjunction with any |
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current or planned highway construction. |
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(b) The department shall develop a strategy to facilitate |
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the timely and efficient deployment of broadband conduit or other |
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broadband facilities on state-owned land and in state-owned |
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buildings in areas where such a strategy is needed. |
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(c) The department shall give special consideration to |
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projects described by Subsection (a) or (b) that are likely to |
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improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities. |
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(d) To the extent practicable, the department shall assist |
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political subdivisions in taking advantage of voluntary joint |
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trenching opportunities. |
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(e) This section does not authorize the department to |
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require a conduit or facility in a right-of-way to be relocated at |
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the conduit or facility owner's expense. |
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Sec. 201.673. REPORT. Annually, the department shall |
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submit to the legislature a report that explains the actions taken |
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by the department in carrying out this subchapter, any gains in |
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broadband speed or access associated with voluntary joint trenching |
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opportunities, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private |
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entities, or end users of broadband services associated with |
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voluntary joint trenching opportunities. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |