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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to safety and inspection reporting requirements for |
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certain utilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 38.102 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.102. REPORT ON SAFETY PROCESSES AND INSPECTION. |
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(a) Not later than May 1, 2020 each utility owning or operating |
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transmission or distribution assets shall complete a report, as |
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prescribed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which |
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includes, but is not limited to the following: |
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(1) a summary description of the utility's hazard |
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recognition training program(s) for transmission and distribution |
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facilities provided by the utility to its employees and |
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contractors; |
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(2) a summary description of the training programs provided |
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by the utility to its employees and contractors related to the |
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National Electric Safety Code and United States Corps of Engineers |
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regulations and design requirements for the construction of |
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electric transmission and distribution lines. |
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A utility is required to update this report within 30 |
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days of finalizing a change to any of the programs or |
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plans described in (1) or (2). |
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(b) Not later than May 1st of each year, beginning on May 1, 2020, |
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each utility owning or operating transmission or distribution |
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assets shall complete a report, as prescribed by the Public Utility |
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Commission of Texas, which includes, but is not limited to the |
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following: |
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(1) percentage of transmission and/or distribution system |
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or assets inspected in the prior calendar year; |
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(2) percentage of transmission and/or distribution system |
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anticipated to by inspected in the current calendar year; |
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(3) number of incidents reported by employees or the public |
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regarding transmission or distribution assets that are not in |
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compliance with the National Electric Safety Code, in whatever |
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manner they are reported; |
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(4) if the utility is aware of any portion of its |
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transmission or distribution system that is not in compliance with |
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the National Electric Safety Code; |
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(5) if the utility is aware of a violation of any easement |
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agreements, including but not limited to easement agreements with |
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the Army Corps of Engineers; and |
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(6) the number of fatalities or injuries resulting from |
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transmission or distribution assets that are out of compliance with |
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the National Electric Safety Code or any easement agreement. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |