SB 649 Summary

• Repeals and re-enacts sections 67.1830, 67.1836, 67.1838, and 67.1842 of Missouri Revised Statutes relating to public right-of-way management by political subdivisions (cities, towns, villages, and counties).

• Establishes definitions for key terms including "abandoned equipment or facilities," "degradation," "emergency," "excavation," "management costs," and "public utility," which applies to cable television providers, gas, electric, telecommunications, water, sewer corporations and other utility entities.

• Requires political subdivisions to process right-of-way permit applications within 31 days; applications are deemed approved if not acted upon within this timeframe.

• Prohibits political subdivisions from unlawfully discriminating among utility users, granting preferences, creating unreasonable entry requirements, requiring franchises for telecommunications companies, or entering exclusive-use agreements for public rights-of-way.

• Exempts public utilities with legal access granted prior to August 28, 2001 from obtaining new permits for general access, though permits are required for excavation work commenced after that date.