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Public Law
123rd Legislature
First Regular Session
Chapter 268
S.P. 474 - L.D. 1360
An Act To Permit the University of Maine System To Install Lines on Utility Facilities in Public Rights-of-way
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  it is imperative that this Act take effect immediately so that the University of Maine System may transmit data and communications to its facilities and partnering entities as soon as possible; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §2301-A  is enacted to read:
§ 2301-A.  University of Maine System may install lines on existing facilities 
The University of Maine System may install wires or lines on existing utility facilities located within or along a public right-of-way for the purpose of transmitting data and communications between and among University of Maine System facilities and partnering entities, wherever located, subject to the conditions and restrictions provided in this chapter and chapter 25. For purposes of this section, “lines” does not include utility poles and “partnering entities” means organizations, wherever located, authorized to use the university’s regional optical network for education and research institutions or other university data and communications systems.
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §2501, sub-§2,  as amended by PL 1995, c. 225, §9, is further amended to read:
 
2. Applicability of section 2503.   Except as otherwise provided, a person may not construct facilities upon and along highways and public roads, without applying for and obtaining a written location permit from the applicable licensing authority under section 2503. Included within this requirement is every person operating telephones or transmitting television signals by wire; every person that owns, controls, operates or manages any pipeline within or through this State for the transportation as a common carrier for hire of oil, gas, gasoline, petroleum or any other liquids or gases; every water utility and every person making, generating, selling, distributing and supplying gas or electricity; every water utility or sewer company, district or system privately or municipally owned; every municipally owned or operated fire alarm, police alarm or street lighting circuit or system; every cooperative organized under chapter 35; the University of Maine System, for purposes described in section 2301-A; and any other person engaged in telecommunications or the transmission of heat, or electricity.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective June 8, 2007.