HB144 - Relating to plans for the management and inspection of distribution poles.

      H.B. No. 144         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 the cooperative or utility owns in the cooperative's or   utility's distribution system.           (b)  Each plan submitted under Subsection (a) must include:                 (1)     a statement of the plan's scope and objectives for   ensuring public safety through the effective management,   inspection, maintenance, and repair of distribution poles;                 (2)     the roles and responsibilities of individuals   responsible for overseeing and executing the plan;                 (3)     processes for training and certifying personnel,   including third-party vendors, who inspect distribution poles;                 (4)     an estimated timeline for completing inspections   and remedial action required for any pole identified as unreliable,   unsafe, or needing repair;                 (5)     processes for documenting and responding to a   report or complaint made by a landowner regarding the condition or   repair of a distribution pole;                 (6)     for a plan submitted by an electric utility, the   estimated cost of implementing the plan; and                 (7)     a description of the cooperative's or utility's   methods to monitor compliance with the plan.           (c)     Not later than May 1 of each year, an entity to which   this section applies shall submit an update to the commission   detailing the entity's compliance with the plan's objectives, the   costs of implementing the plan to date, and the results of the   entity's inspection of distribution poles, including the number of   poles inspected and any remediation or replacement action taken.     An electric utility may submit the update in a report required under   Section 38.101.           (d)     The commission shall review each plan and update   submitted under this section to determine whether the entity that   submitted the plan or update is in compliance with the plan's   objectives described by Subsection (b)(1) and notify the entity   whether or not the entity is in compliance with those objectives.           (e)     The commission may accept in place of the information   required under this section any information required under other   law that is substantially similar to the information required under   this section.          SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2027, 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.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas may   establish different plan submission dates for each class of entity   to which Section 38.103, Utilities Code, as added by this Act,   applies.          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.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 144 was passed by the House on April   29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 125, Nays 21, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 144 on May 29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 110, Nays 18,   1 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 144 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 26, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor