By: Guillen H.B. No. 5475
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report on the Underground Facility Damage
Prevention and Safety Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of
Texas.
(2) "Board" means the board of directors of the Texas
Underground Facility Notification Corporation under Section
251.055, Utilities Code.
SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT REGARDING THE UNDERGROUND
FACILITY DAMAGE PREVENTION AND SAFETY ACT.
(a) In collaboration with the board, the commission shall
conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of the state's system of
underground facility damage prevention and safety.
(b) The study must:
(1) identify and examine the leading causes of
underground utility damage in Texas;
(2) examine whether sufficient resources for locating
and marking utility facilities exist in the state, and recommend
possible solutions to address the issues;
(3) identify and examine best practices across the
country from public and private institutions to reduce the risk of
damages to underground facilities and minimize waste; and
(4) identify methods to improve communication,
processes and safety standards.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2027, the commission shall
submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
house of representatives, and the commissioners of the Railroad
Commission of Texas a written report that includes the study's
findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2028.
SECTION 3. 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.