Bill Text: TX SB1104 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-04-16 - Left pending in committee [SB1104 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-SB1104-Introduced.html
  86R12616 JXC-D
 
  By: Perry S.B. No. 1104
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the
  Public Utility Commission of Texas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 2, Utilities Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 19 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 19. COORDINATION OF BROADBAND INSTALLATION
         Sec. 19.0101.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Broadband" means a mass-market retail service by
  wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and
  receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints,
  including capabilities that are incidental to and enable the
  operation of the service.  The term includes a service that is
  functionally equivalent to the service described by this
  subdivision.
               (2)  "Broadband conduit" means a conduit, pipe,
  innerduct, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that
  supports broadband and wireless facilities for broadband.
         Sec. 19.0102.  DUTIES. (a) In collaboration with the Texas
  Department of Transportation and private entities, the commission
  shall encourage and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install,
  or improve broadband conduit in highway rights-of-way in
  conjunction with any current or planned highway construction. To
  the extent necessary, in collaboration with the Texas Department of
  Transportation the commission shall:
               (1)  evaluate engineering and design standards,
  procedures and criteria for contracts or lease agreements, and
  pricing requirements; and
               (2)  provide for allocation of risk, costs, and any
  revenue generated.
         (b)  In collaboration with any other state agency the
  commission considers necessary, the commission shall develop a
  strategy to facilitate the timely and efficient deployment of
  broadband conduit or other broadband facilities on state-owned land
  and in state-owned buildings.
         (c)  The commission shall give special consideration to
  projects described by Subsection (a) or (b) that are likely to
  improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities.
         (d)  To the extent practicable, the commission shall assist
  political subdivisions in adopting and implementing projects
  similar to those in Subsections (a) and (b) for the construction or
  improvement of roads under the jurisdiction of political
  subdivisions and for broadband deployment on land or in buildings
  owned by political subdivisions.
         Sec. 19.0103.  REPORT. Annually, the commission shall
  submit to the legislature a report that explains the actions taken
  by the commission in carrying out this chapter, the number of
  current and planned projects receiving assistance from the
  commission, any gains in broadband speed or access associated with
  the projects, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private
  entities, or end users of broadband services associated with the
  projects.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
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