Senate Bill 2022 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated regarding utility relocation projects by updating the definition of "utility" to include modern digital, broadband, and fiber-optic infrastructure, aligning it with existing Department of Transportation policy. The bill codifies a minimum reimbursement cap of $2,500,000 for utility relocation projects, while allowing the Commissioner discretion to authorize higher amounts based on specific factors such as project scale, impacts on utility services, and environmental constraints. This approach is intended to provide predictability for utilities without imposing additional costs on the state.

The bill also establishes clear guidelines for the reimbursement process, ensuring that all utilities, whether public, private, or cooperatively owned, are treated equitably. It outlines the obligations of utilities in terms of relocation and the approval process for their plans and schedules. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of minimizing costs to both utilities and ratepayers, reinforcing the state's commitment to modern infrastructure investment and broadband deployment. The act will take effect upon becoming law for rule promulgation purposes, with full implementation set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54-5-802, 54-5-803, 54-5-804, 54-5-806, 54-5-854, 54-5-854(d)