January 2027 deadline:Utilities must file pole inspection plans with PUCT under Sec. 38.103(a)

Texas HB 144 Compliance. Mapped. Automated. Sealed.

AcreSeal maps directly to every requirement of House Bill 144 (Sec. 38.103). Your pole inspection plan, your complaint process, your monthly PUCT reports — handled with forensic-grade documentation.

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Every Sec. 38.103 Subsection CoveredEvidentiary-Grade DocumentationPatent Pending
SHA-256 VerifiedAES-256 EncryptionSOC 2 ArchitecturePatent PendingTexas-Based

HB 144 Sec. 38.103 — Requirement by Requirement

Every subsection of the statute mapped to the AcreSeal feature that addresses it. Coverage status shown for each requirement.

7 of 9 requirements covered3 automated4 with templates2 on roadmap
78% coverage

Coming Soon

Q3 2026
IOU Budget Module

Budget projection tools for investor-owned utilities filing under §38.103(b)(5).

Mid-2026 (pending PUCT rulemaking)
Structural Integrity Standards

Configurable inspection criteria aligned to Sec. 38.006 once PUCT publishes final rules.

When PUCT prescribes format
PUCT Report Template Auto-Update

Monthly export format will update automatically when PUCT finalizes the reporting template.

SB 1789

Vegetation Management Companion

Senate Bill 1789 requires electric utilities to file vegetation management plans addressing tree trimming, right-of-way maintenance, and wildfire mitigation. AcreSeal's vegetation module tracks work orders, before/after photo documentation, and growth-rate predictions — providing the same forensic-grade evidence chain used for pole compliance.

Work Order Tracking

Schedule, assign, and close vegetation work orders with GPS-tagged photo documentation.

Growth Prediction

Linear regression models predict re-growth rates to optimize trim cycles and reduce costs.

Wildfire Risk Zones

Map vegetation density against pole locations to prioritize high-risk corridors.

Not sure where your cooperative stands? Take the free HB 144 Readiness Assessment →

NERC FAC-003-5 Transmission Vegetation Management

Audit-Ready Documentation

For utilities managing transmission lines, NERC FAC-003-5 requires documented Transmission Vegetation Management Programs (TVMPs) with inspection schedules, clearance verification, and outage reporting. AcreSeal's forensic evidence chains and before/after photo verification provide the auditable documentation that NERC Regional Entities require during compliance audits.

MVCD clearance tracking ensures vegetation encroachments are flagged before they become violations. Penalties for NERC FAC-003 non-compliance can exceed $1 million per day.

Voltage ClassMVCD (ft)
69 kV3.41 ft
138 kV4.78 ft
230 kV6.39 ft
345 kV8.53 ft
500 kV11.16 ft
765 kV14.47 ft

Values at 1.0 gap factor per NERC FAC-003-5 Table 2.

PUCT Review Process

Review-Ready

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has engaged Guidehouse to review all utility pole inspection and management plan submissions under Sec. 38.103. AcreSeal's compliance exports are designed to produce structured, section-by-section documentation that aligns with regulatory review expectations.

As PUCT publishes specific formatting requirements, AcreSeal will update export templates automatically — included at no additional cost during your subscription.

AcreSeal brings data innovation to utility compliance. Rather than static spreadsheets and manual documentation, every record is cryptographically sealed with SHA-256 hash chains, GPS coordinates, timestamps, and environmental conditions — creating a verifiable data layer that survives regulatory audit. This approach reflects the industry shift toward data-driven grid operations championed by ISOs nationwide.

HB 144 Compliance Timeline

Jun 2025

HB 144 signed into law

Governor signs House Bill 144 (88th Legislature)

Sep 2025

PUCT rulemaking begins

Commission opens rulemaking for Sec. 38.103 implementation

Mar 2026You are here

Now

AcreSeal available for early-access utilities

Jan 2027

Plan submission deadline

Utilities must file pole inspection plans with PUCT (Sec. 38.103(a))

Jul 2027

First monthly reports due

Monthly progress reports begin under Sec. 38.103(e)

Jan 2028

Full compliance required

All inspection, reporting, and training systems operational

Free Download

The Co-Op Manager’s Guide to HB 144 Compliance

An 8-page guide covering everything Texas cooperatives and utilities need to know about HB 144 filing requirements, monthly reporting, common mistakes, and the compliance timeline through January 2027. Written by a T&D industry veteran with 40 years of experience.

Plain-English walkthrough of Sec. 38.103(b)(1–5)
Monthly reporting requirements under Sec. 38.103(e)
5 common mistakes that lead to PUCT plan rejection
Quarter-by-quarter compliance timeline through 2028

Download the Guide (PDF)

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Don’t wait for the deadline.

Start building your HB 144 compliance record today. AcreSeal gives you the plan, the process, and the proof — before PUCT asks for it.