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  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.