The bill, S.B. No. 1121, proposes amendments to the Natural Resources Code to exempt certain fiber-optic cable projects from specific notice requirements when conducted on state or local public land. The amendment adds new categorical exclusions, specifically allowing for the installation, maintenance, operation, replacement, or minor modification of buried fiber-optic cables located in the right-of-way of existing roads. Additionally, it includes a provision for any project for which a state permit application has been submitted prior to the establishment of rules under this section.

The bill also removes the previous requirement for notification regarding certain activities that have minimal risk of damaging archaeological sites. This includes a range of activities such as road maintenance, animal grazing, and the installation of meter taps, among others. The overall intent of the bill is to streamline the process for fiber-optic cable projects and reduce regulatory burdens while ensuring that significant archaeological sites remain protected. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Natural Resources Code 191.0525 (Natural Resources Code 191)