This bill amends sections 14-2113 and 39-1304.02 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, focusing on the management and relocation of utility facilities in relation to road construction. It grants the board of directors of the metropolitan utilities district comprehensive authority over the natural gas and water supply, including the ability to utilize public streets and grounds for necessary infrastructure improvements. The bill removes outdated provisions regarding permits and contracts with the Department of Transportation, streamlining the process for utility facility management.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and provisions concerning "qualifying utility facilities," which include various types of highways and urban extensions that are part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. It specifies that the state will cover the costs associated with the alteration or relocation of these utility facilities for highway projects, overriding any existing agreements that would otherwise require the utility to bear these costs. The bill also clarifies the definition of costs related to such relocations and includes provisions for commercial broadband and community antenna television services as part of the utility facilities covered under this legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 14-2113, 39-1304.02