Bill Text: DE SCR48 | 2019-2020 | 150th General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Establishing A Utilities Coordination Working Group For The State Of Delaware.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-05-16 - Passed In House by Voice Vote [SCR48 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2019-SCR48-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Poore & Rep. Osienski |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48
ESTABLISHING A UTILITIES COORDINATION WORKING GROUP FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, utility companies are accommodated in Delaware’s roadway rights of way under 26 Del. C. §§ 901 and 1301 subject to the consent and regulation by the Delaware Department of Transportation; and
Whereas, currently, there are 50 utility companies who own and operate facilities in the State-owned rights of way via 98 franchises granted by the Department of Transportation; and
Whereas, the transportation needs of the State often require relocation of existing utility facilities to support the free flow of traffic and the economic vitality of the State; and
Whereas, the requirements for the expense of alteration or relocation of utilities as a result of transportation projects are defined in 17 Del. C . §143; and
Whereas, coordination of the design and construction of roadway improvements and utility relocations must be done collaboratively and expeditiously to ensure improvements occur to the State’s transportation network in a timely manner; and
Whereas, coordination of the many transportation projects with the many companies operating in the State’s rights of way is in need of improvement to minimize disruption and inconvenience to the public who rely on the roadways and utility facilities in the pursuit of their daily endeavors and quality of life; and
Whereas, it would be advantageous to convene a working group representing the transportation, utility, and roadway construction industries in Delaware to consider and recommend improvements to the coordination of utility relocations on transportation projects.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED that by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that a Utilities Coordination Working Group is hereby established and charged with recommending measures to shorten the total time to coordinate and implement utility relocations on transportation projects on Delaware’s highways.
Be it further Resolved that the Utilities Coordination Working Group shall submit their final report of recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2020. The Working Group shall consider all reasonable options for improvement and may recommend any combination of proposed agreements, regulations, or legislation for consideration by the General Assembly.
Be it further resolved that the Utilities Coordination Working Group shall consist of the following members representing the transportation, utility and roadway construction industries in Delaware:
(a) A legislator nominated by the Speaker of the House
(b) A legislator nominated by the President Pro Tempore
(c) Secretary of the Department of Transportation
(d) Department of Transportation Utilities Engineer
(e) A Representative from Delmarva Power Corporation
(f) A Representative from Delaware Electric Cooperative
(g) A Representative from Verizon Delaware LLC
(h) A Representative from Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
(i) A Representative from Artesian Water Company
(j) A Representative from Comcast Corporation
(k) A Representative from Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation
(l) A Representative from the Delaware Contractors Association
(m) A Representative from American Council of Engineering Companies of Delaware
Be it further resolved that the Utilities Coordination Working Group may form any number of
subgroups as needed to consider the full range of improvement options, but are required to form at least two subgroups: one to consider design phase utility relocation coordination, and one to consider the construction phase, both of which shall be a part of the final report of recommendations.
SYNOPSIS
This Resolution establishes the Utilities Coordination Working Group who are charged with recommending measures by January 1, 2020 to shorten the total time to coordinate and implement utility relocations on transportation projects on Delaware’s highways.
Author: Senator Poore
