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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas of the |
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effects that current laws, rules, and regulations of this state and |
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its political subdivisions regarding pole attachments have on the |
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expansion of broadband service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission |
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of Texas. |
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(2) "Electric cooperative" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 181.048, Utilities Code. |
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(3) "Pole" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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252.001, Utilities Code. |
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(4) "Pole attachment" means an affixture of cables, |
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strands, wires, and associated equipment attached to a pole |
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directly or indirectly for the provision of broadband service. |
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(b) The commission, in consultation with the Texas |
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Broadband Development Office, shall conduct a study of current |
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laws, rules, and regulations of this state and its political |
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subdivisions related to pole attachments to determine the effects |
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those laws, rules, and regulations have on broadband service |
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expansion. The study must include an evaluation of: |
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(1) the average time for the preparation and placement |
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of a pole attachment, including: |
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(A) the time it takes for an electric cooperative |
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or an electric cooperative's affiliate to approve a new pole |
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attachment requested by a broadband provider; and |
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(B) ways to decrease or standardize the time it |
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takes for the completion of a new pole attachment; |
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(2) the effectiveness of laws, rules, or regulations |
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regarding the timely relocation or removal of: |
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(A) poles that are functionally obsolete; |
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(B) poles that violate the Americans with |
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Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.); and |
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(C) poles that obstruct current or future |
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municipal infrastructure; and |
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(3) the commission's current resources to educate |
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broadband providers, electric cooperatives, and electric |
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cooperative affiliates regarding the right to install a pole |
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attachment. |
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(c) Not later than February 15, 2026, the commission shall |
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submit an initial report regarding the results of the study |
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conducted under Subsection (b) of this section to each legislative |
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standing committee with jurisdiction over issues regarding |
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broadband services. |
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(d) Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall |
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submit a final report regarding the results of the study conducted |
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under Subsection (b) of this section to each legislative standing |
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committee with jurisdiction over issues regarding broadband |
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services. |
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(e) This Act expires December 31, 2026. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |