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SB-556 Utility poles and support structures: attachments.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 02/18/2021 09:00 PM
SB556:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 556

Introduced by Senator Dodd

February 18, 2021

An act to amend Section 9510.5 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to communications.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 556, as introduced, Dodd. Utility poles and support structures: attachments.
Existing law requires a local publicly owned electric utility to make appropriate space and capacity on and in their utility poles, as defined, and support structures available for use by cable television corporations, video service providers, and telephone corporations. Under existing law, “utility poles” include electrical poles, except those electrical poles used solely for the transmission of electricity at 50 kilovolts or higher.
This bill would revise the definition of a utility pole to include an electrical transmission tower, while continuing to exclude an electrical pole, but not an electrical transmission tower, used solely for the transmission of electricity at 50 kilovolts or higher. By placing additional requirements upon local publicly owned electric utilities, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 9510.5 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

9510.5.
 As used in this part, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Communications service provider” means a cable television corporation, video service provider, or telephone corporation.
(b) “Governing body” means the governing body of a local publicly owned electric utility, including, where applicable, a board appointed by a city council.
(c) “Street light pole” means a pole, arm, or fixture used primarily for street, pedestrian, or security lighting.
(d) “Utility pole” means an electricity electrical pole, electrical transmission tower, or telephone pole, but does not include a street light pole or an electricity electrical pole used solely for the transmission of electricity at 50 kilovolts or higher and not intended for distribution of communications signals or electricity at lower voltages.

SEC. 2.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.