Bill > HB144

This bill establishes two new sections of Missouri law: one addressing the removal of abandoned telecommunication and cable television lines in public rights-of-way, and another creating the "Uniform Easement Relocation Act". For abandoned lines, the bill requires telecommunication and cable companies to remove any abandoned lines in public rights-of-way within 180 days of abandonment, notify relevant agencies within 30 days, and face fines of $500 per day for non-compliance. The bill also introduces a comprehensive framework for easement relocation, providing detailed guidelines for how property owners can legally move an existing easement. The easement relocation process requires a civil court action, must not materially diminish the utility or usefulness of the easement, and places significant responsibilities on the property owner seeking relocation, including serving notices to all relevant parties, paying relocation expenses, and ensuring minimal disruption to the easement holder. The bill defines numerous legal terms related to easements, including types of easements (like appurtenant, conservation, and public utility), and establishes protections to ensure that relocations do not negatively impact the rights of easement holders or other property interests. Importantly, the bill makes clear that easement relocation is not considered a new property transfer and does not automatically trigger other legal complications like lease breaches or mortgage due-on-sale clauses.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB144&year=2025&code=R