By: Paddie H.B. No. 4150
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to safety and inspection reporting requirements for
certain utilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Section 38.102 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.102. REPORT ON SAFETY PROCESSES AND INSPECTION.
(a) Not later than May 1, 2020 each utility owning or operating
transmission or distribution assets shall complete a report, as
prescribed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which
includes, but is not limited to the following:
(1) a summary description of the utility's hazard
recognition training program(s) for transmission and distribution
facilities provided by the utility to its employees and
contractors;
(2) a summary description of the training programs
provided by the utility to its employees and contractors related to
the National Electric Safety Code and United States Corps of
Engineers regulations and design requirements for the construction
of electric transmission and distribution lines.
A utility is required to update this report within 30
days of finalizing a change to any of the programs or plans
described in (1) or (2).
(b) Not later than May 1st of each year, beginning on May 1,
2020, each utility owning or operating transmission or distribution
assets shall complete a report, as prescribed by the Public Utility
Commission of Texas, which includes, but is not limited to the
following:
(1) percentage of transmission and/or distribution
system or assets inspected in the prior calendar year;
(2) percentage of transmission and/or distribution
system anticipated to by inspected in the current calendar year;
(3) number of incidents reported by employees or the
public regarding transmission or distribution assets that are not
in compliance with the National Electric Safety Code, in whatever
manner they are reported;
(4) if the utility is aware of any portion of its
transmission or distribution system that is not in compliance with
the National Electric Safety Code;
(5) if the utility is aware of a violation of any
easement agreements, including but not limited to easement
agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers; and
(6) the number of fatalities or injuries resulting
from transmission or distribution assets that are out of compliance
with the National Electric Safety Code or any easement agreement.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.