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  89R6198 ANG-D     By: Bhojani H.B. No. 3131       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas of the   effects that current laws, rules, and regulations of this state and   its political subdivisions regarding pole attachments have on the   expansion of broadband service.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a) In this section:                (1)  "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission   of Texas.                (2)  "Electric cooperative" has the meaning assigned by   Section 181.048, Utilities Code.                (3)  "Pole" has the meaning assigned by Section   252.001, Utilities Code.                (4)  "Pole attachment" means an affixture of cables,   strands, wires, and associated equipment attached to a pole   directly or indirectly for the provision of broadband service.          (b)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas   Broadband Development Office, shall conduct a study of current   laws, rules, and regulations of this state and its political   subdivisions related to pole attachments to determine the effects   those laws, rules, and regulations have on broadband service   expansion.  The study must include an evaluation of:                (1)  the average time for the preparation and placement   of a pole attachment, including:                      (A)  the time it takes for an electric cooperative   or an electric cooperative's affiliate to approve a new pole   attachment requested by a broadband provider; and                      (B)  ways to decrease or standardize the time it   takes for the completion of a new pole attachment;                (2)  the effectiveness of laws, rules, or regulations   regarding the timely relocation or removal of:                      (A)  poles that are functionally obsolete;                      (B)  poles that violate the Americans with   Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.); and                      (C)  poles that obstruct current or future   municipal infrastructure; and                (3)  the commission's current resources to educate   broadband providers, electric cooperatives, and electric   cooperative affiliates regarding the right to install a pole   attachment.          (c)  Not later than February 15, 2026, the commission shall   submit an initial report regarding the results of the study   conducted under Subsection (b) of this section to each legislative   standing committee with jurisdiction over issues regarding   broadband services.          (d)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the commission shall   submit a final report regarding the results of the study conducted   under Subsection (b) of this section to each legislative standing   committee with jurisdiction over issues regarding broadband   services.          (e)  This Act expires December 31, 2026.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.