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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to use of an electric cooperative's easements or property |
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for broadband service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 181, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 181.048 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 181.048. ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE BROADBAND FACILITIES. |
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(a) In this section, "broadband service" means Internet service |
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with: |
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(1) a download speed of 25 megabits per second or |
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faster; and |
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(2) an upload speed of three megabits per second or |
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faster. |
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(b) An electric cooperative organized under Chapter 161 or |
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an electric cooperative affiliate may construct, operate, and |
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maintain cables and other facilities for providing broadband |
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service over, under, across, on, or along real property, personal |
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property, rights-of-way, and easements owned, held, or used by the |
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cooperative. An easement or other property right owned, held, or |
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used by the electric cooperative to provide electricity or other |
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services may also be used to provide broadband service. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |