The bill, S.B. No. 2015, amends the Utilities Code to allow municipalities in Texas to require telecommunications utilities and holders of state-issued certificates of franchise authority to relocate their facilities within municipal public rights-of-way. The relocation must be at the municipality's expense, funded through collected right-of-way fees as specified in Section 283.051 of the Local Government Code. The bill stipulates that the municipality must provide at least 30 days' notice before the required relocation and must specify the new location for the facility along the right-of-way.

Key changes in the bill include the insertion of provisions that clarify the municipality's authority to mandate relocations for the purpose of street widening, straightening, or other municipal projects. Additionally, the language has been updated to reflect that the costs associated with these relocations will be borne by the municipality rather than the utility companies. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 54.203, Utilities Code 66.011 (Utilities Code 66, Utilities Code 54)