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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study and report on the Underground Facility Damage |
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Prevention and Safety Act. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. |
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In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas. |
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(2) "Board" means the board of directors of the Texas |
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Underground Facility Notification Corporation under Section |
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251.055, Utilities Code. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT REGARDING THE UNDERGROUND |
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FACILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION AND SAFETY ACT. |
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(a) In collaboration with the board, the commission shall |
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conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the state's system of |
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underground facility damage prevention and safety. |
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(b) The study must: |
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(1) identify and examine the leading causes of |
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underground utility damage in Texas; |
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(2) examine whether sufficient resources for locating |
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and marking utility facilities exist in the state, and recommend |
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possible solutions to address the issues; |
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(3) identify and examine best practices across the |
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country from public and private institutions to reduce the risk of |
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damages to underground facilities and minimize waste; and |
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(4) identify methods to improve communication, |
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processes and safety standards. |
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(c) Not later than December 1, 2027, the commission shall |
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submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the |
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house of representatives, and the commissioners of the Railroad |
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Commission of Texas a written report that includes the study's |
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findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action. |
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(d) This section expires January 1, 2028. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2025. |