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HB 2638

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services, providing for telecommunications line repair and tree limb removal.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Kauffman and 9 co-sponsors

Telecommunications carriers must promptly remove hazardous tree limbs or repair damaged lines when notified by authorities that a line endangers traffic or pedestrians.

Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
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Bill Summary · HB 2638

Overview

HB 2638, introduced in the 2025-2026 Pennsylvania session, would amend Title 66 (Public Utilities) to establish a duty for telecommunications carriers to address damage to lines that are in contact with tree limbs and pose risks to traffic or pedestrians. The bill adds a specific requirement for line repair and tree limb removal in response to municipal or state agency notifications.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a clear statutory obligation for telecommunications carriers to respond to hazardous conditions where a telecommunications line is damaged, broken, or in direct contact with a tree limb and interferes with or endangers vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
  • Ensure prompt action to restore safety and service by either removing obstructing tree limbs or repairing/remediating the damaged line.

Key provisions

  • New statutory section: § 3020. Telecommunications line repair and tree limb removal.
  • Duty trigger: When a municipality or Commonwealth agency notifies a telecommunications carrier that a line has been damaged, broken, cut, or in direct contact with a tree limb and the condition endangers traffic or pedestrians.
  • Required actions (as applicable, and based on severity): 1) Remove the tree limb. 2) Remediate or repair the telecommunications line.
  • Timing standard: Carriers must act "as soon as practicable based on the severity of the condition." The bill does not specify a fixed deadline but ties action to severity.

Who is affected

  • Telecommunications carriers operating in Pennsylvania under Title 66 (Public Utilities).
  • Municipalities and Commonwealth agencies that may notify carriers of hazardous line conditions.
  • The general public who use roadways and sidewalks, as safety outcomes are improved by timely removal of hazards and restoration of service.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: Introduced June 15, 2026; referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities.
  • No specific deadlines or penalties are included in the text provided; the obligation hinges on a notice and a determination of "as soon as practicable" based on severity.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Safety: Aims to reduce risks from downed or tree-contacted telecommunications lines by mandating timely response.
  • Service restoration: Clarifies responsibilities for repairing lines in hazardous situations.
  • Operational burden: Could impose additional duties and potentially faster response requirements on telecommunications providers.
  • Coordination: Requires alignment with local and state agencies that issue hazard notices.

Notes

  • The text provided includes the core duty and two options for action but does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, funding, or detailed response timelines beyond “as soon as practicable.”
  • As a newly introduced bill, its progress and any amendments in committee could affect final language and applicability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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