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House approves crane-safety measure to allow citation authority and clarify operator responsibility
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 255 to add citation authority for crane compliance, clarify that individual operators (not business owners) are responsible for compliance, and exempt certain electrical utility construction work. The bill passed by recorded vote after floor explanation.
Representative James Dunnigan presented Senate Bill 255, describing it as a set of targeted clarifications to crane operator oversight. "The crane bill makes a couple of changes to the current code," Dunnigan said, explaining that the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) would be given citation authority in cases involving certified crane operators to allow citation issuance before misdemeanor referral, and that the bill clarifies the individual operator — not the owner — is responsible for compliance. Dunnigan also said the bill exempts electrical utility construction or maintenance from the requirements to avoid applying the construction trades licensing act to power companies.
No members sought extended debate; summation was waived and the House opened voting. The transcript records the measure passed the House by a recorded vote (54 yes, 15 no, 5 absent). The bill will be signed by the Speaker Pro Tem and forwarded to the Senate for the President’s signature.
