Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1104 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	86R12616 JXC-D
2	2	By: Perry S.B. No. 1104
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the
8	8	Public Utility Commission of Texas.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 2, Utilities Code, is amended
11	11	by adding Chapter 19 to read as follows:
12	12	CHAPTER 19. COORDINATION OF BROADBAND INSTALLATION
13	13	Sec. 19.0101. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
14	14	(1) "Broadband" means a mass-market retail service by
15	15	wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and
16	16	receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints,
17	17	including capabilities that are incidental to and enable the
18	18	operation of the service. The term includes a service that is
19	19	functionally equivalent to the service described by this
20	20	subdivision.
21	21	(2) "Broadband conduit" means a conduit, pipe,
22	22	innerduct, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that
23	23	supports broadband and wireless facilities for broadband.
24	24	Sec. 19.0102. DUTIES. (a) In collaboration with the Texas
25	25	Department of Transportation and private entities, the commission
26	26	shall encourage and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install,
27	27	or improve broadband conduit in highway rights-of-way in
28	28	conjunction with any current or planned highway construction. To
29	29	the extent necessary, in collaboration with the Texas Department of
30	30	Transportation the commission shall:
31	31	(1) evaluate engineering and design standards,
32	32	procedures and criteria for contracts or lease agreements, and
33	33	pricing requirements; and
34	34	(2) provide for allocation of risk, costs, and any
35	35	revenue generated.
36	36	(b) In collaboration with any other state agency the
37	37	commission considers necessary, the commission shall develop a
38	38	strategy to facilitate the timely and efficient deployment of
39	39	broadband conduit or other broadband facilities on state-owned land
40	40	and in state-owned buildings.
41	41	(c) The commission shall give special consideration to
42	42	projects described by Subsection (a) or (b) that are likely to
43	43	improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities.
44	44	(d) To the extent practicable, the commission shall assist
45	45	political subdivisions in adopting and implementing projects
46	46	similar to those in Subsections (a) and (b) for the construction or
47	47	improvement of roads under the jurisdiction of political
48	48	subdivisions and for broadband deployment on land or in buildings
49	49	owned by political subdivisions.
50	50	Sec. 19.0103. REPORT. Annually, the commission shall
51	51	submit to the legislature a report that explains the actions taken
52	52	by the commission in carrying out this chapter, the number of
53	53	current and planned projects receiving assistance from the
54	54	commission, any gains in broadband speed or access associated with
55	55	the projects, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private
56	56	entities, or end users of broadband services associated with the
57	57	projects.
58	58	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.