HB2745 - Relating to plans for the management and inspection of distribution poles.

  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.