Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Utilities Code § 186.051: DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:
(1) "Cable operator" means an entity that owns or operates a cable system, as that term is defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 522, as amended.
(2) "Common carrier" means a common carrier as described by Section 111.002, Natural Resources Code, or a person who submits to regulation by the state as a common carrier under Article 2.01, Texas Business Corporation Act.
(3) "Energy transporter" means a person who gathers or transports oil, gas, or oil and gas products by pipeline.
(4) "Railroad" means an entity that owns, operates, or controls a railroad or property or assets owned or previously owned by a railroad in this state, including agents, assignees, or parties that by contract own, control, or manage railroad rights-of-way, easements, or other real property rights belonging to a railroad. The term includes interurban and street railroads owned by a private entity but excludes a terminal railroad and a railroad or interurban and street railroad owned by a governmental entity, including a navigation district or port authority, or a wharf.
(5) "Railroad right-of-way" means the real property rights owned or controlled by a railroad, including fee and easement interests used or previously used as a railroad operating corridor.
(6) "Utility" means:
(A) a gas, water, electric, or telecommunications entity that is defined as a utility under the laws of this state;
(B) an electric cooperative; or
(C) a municipally owned utility.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1087, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Where this section sits in the code

UTILITIES CODE
TITLE 4. DELIVERY OF UTILITY SERVICES
SUBTITLE B. PROVISIONS REGULATING DELIVERY OF SERVICES
CHAPTER 186. PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE RELIABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF UTILITY SERVICE
SUBCHAPTER E. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES ALONG, OVER, UNDER, OR ACROSS RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY

In this subchapter:

(1) "Cable operator" means an entity that owns or operates a cable system, as that term is defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 522, as amended.

(2) "Common carrier" means a common carrier as described by Section 111.002, Natural Resources Code, or a person who submits to regulation by the state as a common carrier under Article 2.01, Texas Business Corporation Act.

(3) "Energy transporter" means a person who gathers or transports oil, gas, or oil and gas products by pipeline.

(4) "Railroad" means an entity that owns, operates, or controls a railroad or property or assets owned or previously owned by a railroad in this state, including agents, assignees, or parties that by contract own, control, or manage railroad rights-of-way, easements, or other real property rights belonging to a railroad. The term includes interurban and street railroads owned by a private entity but excludes a terminal railroad and a railroad or interurban and street railroad owned by a governmental entity, including a navigation district or port authority, or a wharf.

(5) "Railroad right-of-way" means the real property rights owned or controlled by a railroad, including fee and easement interests used or previously used as a railroad operating corridor.

(6) "Utility" means:

(A) a gas, water, electric, or telecommunications entity that is defined as a utility under the laws of this state;

(B) an electric cooperative; or

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1087, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:45Z. Source file · JSON

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