89R2783 SCR-D
By: Miles S.B. No. 2285
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to vegetation management by electric utilities and
telecommunications providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 181, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 181.904 to read as follows:
Sec. 181.904. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT BY ELECTRIC UTILITIES
AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Communications line" means a line, wire, or cable
for the transmission of telecommunications, as defined by Section
202.091, Transportation Code.
(2) "Distribution line" has the meaning assigned by
Section 181.041.
(3) "Electric utility" has the meaning assigned by
Section 181.041, except that the term does not include a municipal
electric utility.
(4) "Telecommunications provider" means a person in
the business of providing service to the public who maintains or
operates a communications line for that service.
(b) An electric utility or telecommunications provider that
receives a complaint regarding excess vegetation near a
distribution line or communications line that is not owned or
operated by the electric utility or telecommunications provider
shall, not later than the fifth business day after the complaint is
received:
(1) provide in writing the complaint to the owner or
operator of the communications line or distribution line;
(2) notify the complainant that the complaint has been
provided to the owner or operator of the communications line or
distribution line; and
(3) provide the complainant with contact information
for the owner or operator of the communications line or
distribution line.
(c) If the owner or operator of the communications line or
distribution line does not trim the excess vegetation before the
fifth business day after receiving a complaint under Subsection
(b), the owner or operator shall:
(1) allow the electric utility or telecommunications
provider that notified the owner or operator of the complaint to
trim the excess vegetation; and
(2) reimburse the electric utility or
telecommunications provider for reasonable expenses related to the
trimming.
(d) This section does not affect any civil remedy for
personal injury or for property damage arising from vegetation
management.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.