ORS 184.916: Registry of telecommunication providers; identification of projects.

(1) The Oregon Broadband Office within the Oregon Business Development Department shall develop a registry of telecommunications providers in this state. The office shall update the registry no less than once per year and shall make the most recently updated registry available to the Department of Transportation. (2) The Department of Transportation shall identify potential projects included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for which notification under subsection (3) of this section is required. Potential projects eligible for identification under this subsection: (a) Must, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, include projects on a state highway that involve the construction of underground utility infrastructure, road construction, road resurfacing or other work that will result in longitudinal trenching spanning a minimum length to be determined by the department by rule and that could reasonably include, or prepare for, the installation of broadband conduit; and (b) May only include projects on an interstate highway to the extent otherwise authorized under federal or state law. (3) For each project identified under subsection (2) of this section, the department shall timely notify each telecommunications provider on the registry established under subsection (1) of this section: (a) That the project has been identified as suitable for coordination with telecommunication providers; (b) Of the telecommunication provider’s opportunity to coordinate with the department to accommodate installation of underground utility infrastructure; and (c) Of the process for submitting a statement of interest to coordinate with the department on the project. (4) The department shall provide each telecommunications provider that receives a notice under subsection (3) of this section no less than 30 days from the date the notice is issued to submit to the department a statement of interest to coordinate with the department. (5) This section does not require the department to provide notice of an opportunity to coordinate for the installation of underground utility infrastructure directly to any telecommunications provider, other utility or any other entity in a manner not described in this section. [2021 c.524 §2]