Bill Text: TX HB520 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the regulation by the Texas Department of Transportation of right-of-way landscaping installed by utilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-23 - Left pending in committee [HB520 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB520-Introduced.html
| By: Beckley | H.B. No. 520 | |
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| relating to the regulation by the Texas Department of | ||
| Transportation of right-of-way landscaping installed by utilities. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 202, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 202.062 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 202.062. LANDSCAPING IN RIGHT-OF-WAY BY UTILITIES. | ||
| (a) In this section, "utility" means a person who owns or operates | ||
| a utility facility in the right-of-way of a state highway, | ||
| including a line, pipeline, conduit, or cable used to provide | ||
| water, saltwater, steam, electricity, gas, oil, communications, or | ||
| waste services. | ||
| (b) The department by rule shall require a utility that | ||
| disturbs the right-of-way of a state highway while constructing or | ||
| maintaining a utility facility in the right-of-way to install, at | ||
| the utility's expense, in the right-of-way after the construction | ||
| or maintenance is complete plants that: | ||
| (1) are native, regionally appropriate, and | ||
| pollinator-friendly; and | ||
| (2) generally grow roots less than four feet below the | ||
| surface. | ||
| (c) The department may consult with the Department of | ||
| Agriculture as needed for the purposes of this section. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. | ||
