House Bill 1784 Summary

• Amends 17 O.S. 2011, Section 134, regarding telecommunications services and telephone company operations.

• Clarifies that telephone companies may repair, maintain, and reconstruct existing telephone properties and add necessary circuits to existing lines to accommodate increased business.

• Declares it unlawful for telephone companies to cut down, trim, disturb, or injure shade trees on public roads, highways, or street parkage without first obtaining consent from abutting property owners.

• Prohibits telephone companies from constructing or maintaining telephone lines in ways that injure shade trees on public roads, highways, or parkage within cities or towns.

• Effective date: November 1, 2015.