Committee hears bill requiring utilities to enter pole‑attachment agreements with law enforcement

The Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications heard House Bill 21‑09, which would require public utilities — including municipal utilities and electric cooperatives — to enter into pole attachment agreements with law enforcement agencies upon request. The bill would limit the covered poles to those within the public right‑of‑way, require agreements to specify placement, device type and safety specifications, allow utilities to require that attachments be installed by the utility or an approved contractor, and require the law enforcement agency to indemnify and hold the utility harmless for liability arising from the attachment and operation of the device.

Under the bill as presented by committee staff, a law enforcement agency would also warrant that any attached device complies with applicable laws, and the…