bill requiring distribution pole inspection plans

The text as introduced · 368 words

89R9316 CXP-F

By: King
H.B. No. 2745

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.