bill on complaints about trees near power lines

The text as introduced · 354 words

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.