Sec. 54.002. EXCEPTIONS TO CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE EXTENSION

(a) A telecommunications utility is not required to obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority for an:

(1) extension into territory that is:

(A) contiguous to the territory the telecommunications utility serves;

(B) not receiving similar service from another telecommunications utility; and

(C) not in another telecommunications utility's certificated area;

(2) extension in or to territory the telecommunications utility serves or is authorized to serve under a certificate of public convenience and necessity, a certificate of operating authority, or a service provider certificate of operating authority; or

(3) operation, extension, or service in progress on September 1, 1975.

(b) An extension allowed by Subsection (a) is limited to a device used:

(1) to interconnect existing facilities; or

(2) solely to transmit telecommunications utility services from an existing facility to a customer of retail utility service.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.