86R11892 GRM-D
By: Taylor S.B. No. 1435
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to notice and public hearing requirements relating to a
major modification of an existing transmission line.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 37, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.0515 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0515. NOTICE AND HEARING REQUIRED BEFORE MAJOR
MODIFICATION OF EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE. (a) In this section,
"major modification" includes:
(1) the rebuilding, replacement, or respacing of a
structure along the route of an existing transmission line;
(2) the upgrading of an existing transmission line to
a higher voltage; and
(3) any other activity performed on an existing
transmission line that the commission by rule determines is a major
modification.
(b) This section applies only to an activity for which:
(1) a certificate of convenience and necessity is not
required; and
(2) the acquisition of an additional right-of-way is
not required.
(c) Not later than the 45th day before the date an electric
utility or other person begins a major modification of an existing
transmission line, the utility or other person shall:
(1) give to the owners of any directly affected land
notice of the planned major modification; and
(2) hold at least one public meeting at a location in
the vicinity of the planned major modification.
(d) The notice provided under Subsection (c)(1) must
include:
(1) a description of the planned major modification,
including whether new structures will be built and the construction
methods that will be used;
(2) the planned timeline for starting and completing
the major modification;
(3) the need for the major modification; and
(4) the date and location of the public meeting
required by Subsection (c)(2).
SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a modification of an
existing transmission line that begins on or after the effective
date of this Act. A modification that begins before that date is
governed by the law in effect on the date the modification began,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.