(a) Intent. The intent of this section is to provide for the construction of infrastructure sufficient to allow telecommunications service providers seeking to deploy communication lines in the future to do so by pulling the lines through the conduit and appurtenances installed pursuant to this section. This section is intended to require those constructing public highways, including State, municipal, and private developers, to provide and install such conduit and appurtenances as may be necessary to accommodate future telecommunications needs within public highways and rights-of-way without further excavation or disturbance.

(b) Study. On or before December 15, 2014, the Secretary of Administration, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Service, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, shall submit a report to the General Assembly on a "Dig Once Program" consistent with the intent of subsection (a) of this section. The study shall include findings and recommendations related to the installation of conduit and such vaults and other appurtenances as may be necessary to accommodate installation and connection of telecommunications lines within conduit during highway construction projects; construction standards with due consideration given to existing and anticipated technologies and industry standards; minimum diameter of the conduit and interducts to meet the requirements of this section; the party responsible for installation costs; the ownership and availability of the conduit; and any other matters the Secretary deems appropriate. (Added 2013, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 16, eff. June 16, 2014.)