HB 2499 Summary

• Municipalities and counties must reimburse utilities for costs to relocate utility facilities within public utility easements, unless an existing license, franchise, or agreement provides otherwise.

• If a municipality or county requires relocation of utility facilities outside a public utility easement, the government entity must provide equal land rights at no cost to the utility.

• Utilities must submit itemized relocation cost claims within 180 days after each calendar quarter, and municipalities/counties must reimburse within 90 days of receiving verified claims.

• Municipalities and counties may not impose fees, rent, or charges for utility easement use except reasonable permit fees for plan review, and must treat all utility facilities equally without favoring their own facilities.

• Government entities may only require utility relocations in connection with projects where they serve as the lead agency, and may not act arbitrarily or unreasonably favor one utility over another.