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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to notice and public hearing requirements relating to a |
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major modification of an existing transmission line. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 37, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 37.0515 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 37.0515. NOTICE AND HEARING REQUIRED BEFORE MAJOR |
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MODIFICATION OF EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE. (a) In this section, |
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"major modification" includes: |
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(1) the rebuilding, replacement, or respacing of a |
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structure along the route of an existing transmission line; |
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(2) the upgrading of an existing transmission line to |
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a higher voltage; and |
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(3) any other activity performed on an existing |
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transmission line that the commission by rule determines is a major |
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modification. |
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(b) This section applies only to an activity for which: |
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(1) a certificate of convenience and necessity is not |
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required; and |
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(2) the acquisition of an additional right-of-way is |
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not required. |
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(c) Not later than the 45th day before the date an electric |
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utility or other person begins a major modification of an existing |
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transmission line, the utility or other person shall: |
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(1) give to the owners of any directly affected land |
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notice of the planned major modification; and |
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(2) hold at least one public meeting at a location in |
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the vicinity of the planned major modification. |
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(d) The notice provided under Subsection (c)(1) must |
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include: |
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(1) a description of the planned major modification, |
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including whether new structures will be built and the construction |
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methods that will be used; |
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(2) the planned timeline for starting and completing |
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the major modification; |
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(3) the need for the major modification; and |
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(4) the date and location of the public meeting |
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required by Subsection (c)(2). |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a modification of an |
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existing transmission line that begins on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. A modification that begins before that date is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the modification began, |
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and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |