House Bill No. 3445 aims to enhance access for certificated telecommunications providers to the rights-of-way and pole charges of electric cooperatives in Texas. The bill amends Section 54.204 of the Utilities Code to prohibit discrimination by municipalities and electric cooperatives against these providers in several areas, including the authorization or placement of facilities in public and electric cooperative rights-of-way, access to buildings, and pole attachment rates. The bill specifies that municipalities and electric cooperatives cannot charge rates that exceed certain established limits, such as existing contract rates, mutually agreed rates, or rates determined by federal regulations.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by September 1, 2006, municipalities and municipally owned utilities must implement a single, uniform pole attachment or underground conduit rate for all non-affiliated entities, regardless of the services provided. The bill also clarifies that the commission has the jurisdiction to enforce these provisions. The effective date for this act is set for September 1, 2025.

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