86R23954 JXC-D
By: Anderson, King of Uvalde, Nevárez, Leman, H.B. No. 2422
Price
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the
Texas Department of Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-1. COORDINATION OF BROADBAND INSTALLATION
Sec. 201.671. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Broadband" means a mass-market retail service by
wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and
receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints,
including capabilities that are incidental to and enable the
operation of the service. The term includes a service that is
functionally equivalent to the service described by this
subdivision.
(2) "Broadband conduit" means a conduit, pipe,
innerduct, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that
supports broadband and wireless facilities for broadband.
Sec. 201.672. DUTIES. (a) The department shall encourage
and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install, or improve
broadband conduit in highway rights-of-way in conjunction with any
current or planned highway construction.
(b) The department shall develop a strategy to facilitate
the timely and efficient deployment of broadband conduit or other
broadband facilities on state-owned land and in state-owned
buildings in areas where such a strategy is needed.
(c) The department shall give special consideration to
projects described by Subsection (a) or (b) that are likely to
improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities.
(d) To the extent practicable, the department shall assist
political subdivisions in taking advantage of voluntary joint
trenching opportunities.
(e) This section does not authorize the department to
require a conduit or facility in a right-of-way to be relocated at
the conduit or facility owner's expense.
Sec. 201.673. REPORT. Annually, the department shall
submit to the legislature a report that explains the actions taken
by the department in carrying out this subchapter, any gains in
broadband speed or access associated with voluntary joint trenching
opportunities, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private
entities, or end users of broadband services associated with
voluntary joint trenching opportunities.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.