The bill proposes the addition of a new section, 319.065, to chapter 319 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which addresses the management of abandoned underground telecommunications and cable television facilities. It defines key terms such as "abandoned lines and facilities," "owner," and "public rights-of-way." The bill mandates that owners of these facilities must remove any abandoned lines within 180 days of abandonment and notify the relevant municipal, county, or state agency with a removal plan within 30 days. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in a daily fine of $500 until the abandoned lines are removed, and owners will also be responsible for reimbursing any costs incurred due to interactions with these abandoned facilities during other infrastructure projects. The enforcement of these provisions will fall to the relevant municipal, county, or state agency.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6204H.01): 319.065