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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. COORDINATION. (a) The department shall |
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provide notice on the department's Internet website of ongoing and |
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planned highway construction projects for which the department will |
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provide voluntary joint trenching opportunities in the state's |
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right-of-way for broadband providers. A broadband provider may |
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collaborate with the department to deploy broadband conduit or |
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other broadband facilities in those rights-of-way. |
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(b) The department shall give special consideration to |
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broadband deployment described by Subsection (a) that is likely to |
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improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities. |
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(c) 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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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 and identifies |
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any costs or cost savings to the state and private entities |
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associated with voluntary joint trenching opportunities. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2422 was passed by the House on April |
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24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 2, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 2422 on May 24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 5, |
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2 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2422 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |