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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to vegetation management by electric utilities and |
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telecommunications providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 181, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 181.904 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 181.904. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT BY ELECTRIC UTILITIES |
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AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Communications line" means a line, wire, or cable |
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for the transmission of telecommunications, as defined by Section |
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202.091, Transportation Code. |
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(2) "Distribution line" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 181.041. |
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(3) "Electric utility" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 181.041, except that the term does not include a municipal |
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electric utility. |
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(4) "Telecommunications provider" means a person in |
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the business of providing service to the public who maintains or |
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operates a communications line for that service. |
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(b) An electric utility or telecommunications provider that |
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receives a complaint regarding excess vegetation near a |
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distribution line or communications line that is not owned or |
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operated by the electric utility or telecommunications provider |
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shall, not later than the fifth business day after the complaint is |
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received: |
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(1) provide in writing the complaint to the owner or |
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operator of the communications line or distribution line; |
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(2) notify the complainant that the complaint has been |
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provided to the owner or operator of the communications line or |
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distribution line; and |
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(3) provide the complainant with contact information |
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for the owner or operator of the communications line or |
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distribution line. |
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(c) If the owner or operator of the communications line or |
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distribution line does not trim the excess vegetation before the |
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fifth business day after receiving a complaint under Subsection |
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(b), the owner or operator shall: |
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(1) allow the electric utility or telecommunications |
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provider that notified the owner or operator of the complaint to |
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trim the excess vegetation; and |
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(2) reimburse the electric utility or |
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telecommunications provider for reasonable expenses related to the |
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trimming. |
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(d) This section does not affect any civil remedy for |
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personal injury or for property damage arising from vegetation |
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management. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |