Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2687: Requires telecommunications and television companies to remove abandoned underground lines and facilities
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 319, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to underground telecommunications facilities, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 319, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 319.065, to read as follows: 319.065. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Abandoned lines and facilities", any telecommunication or cable television lines and facilities that are no longer in use or maintained by the owner; (2) "Owner", any telecommunication or cable television company that owns lines and facilities; (3) "Public right.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 319, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to underground telecommunications facilities, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 319, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 319.065, to read as follows: 319.065. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Abandoned lines and facilities", any telecommunication or cable television lines and facilities that are no longer in use or maintained by the owner; (2) "Owner", any telecommunication or cable television company that owns lines and facilities; (3) "Public rights-of-way", the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or similar property used for public travel, but not including federal interstate highways, railroad rights-of-way, or private easements. 2. Owners of telecommunication and cable television lines and facilities shall remove any abandoned lines or facilities located in public rights-of-way within one hundred eighty days of abandonment. 3. Owners shall notify the relevant municipal, county, or state agency and provide a plan for removal within thirty days of abandonment. 4. Owners failing to remove abandoned lines or facilities within the specified time frame shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars per day until removal is completed and responsible for reimbursing any costs incurred due to contact with abandoned lines and facilities during …