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Bill

HB 2277

Relating to the notification of a municipality of electric cooperative requests for the transfer or removal of certain pole attachments.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Giovanni Capriglione

Requires Texas electric cooperatives to notify municipalities before processing requests to transfer or remove pole attachments for broadband and utility lines.

Referred to s/c on Telecommunications & Broadband by Speaker
#citygovernment--utilities(i0068) #utilities--electric(i0831) #utilities--general(i0830)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2277

Legislative bill overview

HB 2277 requires electric cooperatives to notify municipalities when they receive requests to transfer or remove pole attachments (typically broadband, cable, or telecommunications lines attached to utility poles). The bill establishes a formal notification process to ensure local governments are informed of these infrastructure changes before they occur.

Why is this important

Municipalities rely on pole attachments for broadband expansion and public services. Without notification, cities and towns could lose visibility into infrastructure modifications that affect their broadband deployment plans, service continuity, or municipal communication systems. This bill aims to protect municipal interests in shared utility infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden on cooperatives: Electric cooperatives may argue the notification requirement adds administrative costs and delays to routine infrastructure management decisions
  • Timeline and enforcement: The bill's specifics on notification timelines, penalty mechanisms, and enforcement authority are unclear and could create disputes
  • Scope ambiguity: It's uncertain whether "removal" means complete disconnection or temporary relocation, and whether this applies to all attachment types equally

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

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