Senate File 279 - Reprinted SENATE FILE BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE (SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1250) Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act providing for the establishment of an abbreviated electric 2 transmission franchise process, and providing an effective 3 date. 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 5 TLSB 2355SV 83 6 rn/nh/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 478.1, Code 2009, is amended by adding 1 2 the following new subsection: 1 3 NEW SUBSECTION. 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of 1 4 this chapter, if an existing transmission line, wire, or cable 1 5 is operating at thirty=four and one=half kilovolts, it may be 1 6 franchised, rebuilt, and upgraded to be capable of operation 1 7 at sixty=nine kilovolts using an abbreviated franchise process 1 8 if the upgraded line will meet required safety standards, will 1 9 be on substantially the same right=of=way, and will have 1 10 substantially the same effect on the underlying properties. 1 11 The abbreviated franchise process shall not require published 1 12 notice or a public informational meeting. The board may adopt 1 13 rules defining relevant terms, setting forth the steps of the 1 14 abbreviated process, and specifying the requirements for the 1 15 petition and landowner notification. The franchise may be 1 16 granted if the board finds the upgraded line is necessary to 1 17 serve a public use and represents a reasonable relationship to 1 18 an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public 1 19 interest. The franchise shall not become effective until the 1 20 petitioner has paid, or agreed to pay, all costs and expenses 1 21 of the franchise proceeding specified in section 478.4. 1 22 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of 1 23 immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 1 24 SF 279 1 25 rn/nh/jh/26