H.B. No. 2422
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. COORDINATION. (a) The department shall
provide notice on the department's Internet website of ongoing and
planned highway construction projects for which the department will
provide voluntary joint trenching opportunities in the state's
right-of-way for broadband providers. A broadband provider may
collaborate with the department to deploy broadband conduit or
other broadband facilities in those rights-of-way.
(b) The department shall give special consideration to
broadband deployment described by Subsection (a) that is likely to
improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities.
(c) To the extent practicable, the department shall assist
political subdivisions in taking advantage of voluntary joint
trenching opportunities.
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 and identifies
any costs or cost savings to the state and private entities
associated with voluntary joint trenching opportunities.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2422 was passed by the House on April
24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 2, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2422 on May 24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 5,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2422 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor