What's happening
This bill requires utility companies to remove or relocate utility poles within 90 days after public roadway improvements are completed.
Why it matters
Improves road safety and accessibility. By ensuring utility poles are quickly removed or relocated after roadwork, the bill reduces hazards and obstructions for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, potentially lowering accident risks associated with poorly placed or lingering utility infrastructure.
Limits delays and local government burdens. The 90-day deadline compels utility companies to act promptly, preventing prolonged periods where completed roadways remain partially obstructed, which can otherwise frustrate communities and delay full use of public investments.
Clarifies responsibility and process. The bill explicitly assigns the obligation to utility companies—not municipalities or the state—to handle pole removal or relocation, reducing ambiguity and potential disputes over who bears the cost and responsibility after public works projects.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Move Utility Poles for Roads
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.438
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3176
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to directing the public service commission to require public utility companies to remove or relocate utility poles upon the completion of public roadway improvements
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 5 of the public service law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. The commission shall adopt and implement rules and regulations requiring each public utility company, which exercises control over utility poles, to remove or relocate any such poles as shall be determined to be necessary by the state or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the construction or improvement of any public roadway by the state or such political subdivision. Such utility poles shall be removed or relocated, as the case may be, within ninety days of the receipt by the public utility company of notice, from the state or a political subdivision, that the public roadway has been completed or improved.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09194-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to directing the public service commission to require public utility companies to remove or relocate utility poles upon the completion of public roadway improve- ments
Purpose
Directs the public service commission to implement rules requiring public utility companies to remove or relocate their utility poles when necessary for road improvement.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill amends section 5 of the public service law by adding subdivision 7.
Section two is the effective date.
Justification
This bill would require the public service commission to create a time clock of 90 days in which a utility is required to remove and/or relo- cate poles after the local responsible government entity (county, city, township) has declared a traffic improvement as completed and ready for traffic.
Legislative history
2018: S.7972 - Referred to Energy & Telecommunications 2016: S.4349 - 3rd Reading Calendar 2015: S.4349 - Referred to Energy & Telecommunications
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.