89R9316 CXP-F
By: King H.B. No. 144
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to plans for the management and inspection of distribution
poles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 38,
Utilities Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE [REPORT]
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.103 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.103. DISTRIBUTION POLE PLAN. (a) Each electric
cooperative, electric utility, and municipally owned utility that
distributes electric energy to the public shall submit to the
commission a plan for the management and inspection of distribution
poles in the entity's distribution system.
(b) Each plan submitted under Subsection (a) must include:
(1) a statement of the plan's scope and objectives;
(2) the roles and responsibilities of individuals
responsible for overseeing and executing the plan;
(3) a description of the cooperative's or utility's
processes for:
(A) the management and inspection of
distribution poles on the entity's distribution system; and
(B) the training and certifying of personnel,
including third-party vendors, who inspect distribution poles; and
(4) a proposed budget for implementing the plan.
(c) The commission shall approve, modify, or reject a plan
submitted to the commission under Subsection (a) not later than the
180th day after the date the plan is submitted.
(d) At least once every three years, an entity to which this
section applies shall submit an update to the commission detailing
the entity's compliance with the plan's objectives and the costs of
implementing the plan. An electric utility may submit the update in
a report required under Section 38.101.
SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2026, each entity to
which Section 38.103, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, applies
shall submit the plan required by that section to the Public Utility
Commission of Texas.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.