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Committee advances bill recognizing utility line workers as emergency responders
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee voted to send HB2402, sponsored by Representative Reeves, to the Finance, Ways and Means committee. The bill defines "emergency utility line workers," grants access protections during declared weather emergencies, and provides limited civil-immunity and assault protections for line workers restoring services.
The House Judiciary Committee voted to send House Bill 2402 as amended to the Finance, Ways and Means committee. Representative Reeves, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to recent ice-storm damage when utility workers braved hazardous conditions to restore power to homes, hospitals and emergency systems.
"This bill simply recognizes that reality during declared weather emergencies, and it defines emergency utility line workers," Representative Reeves said, adding the measure ensures these workers can access restricted areas to restore power and includes them in a first-responder definition for assault protections. Reeves also told the committee the amendment clarifies that the bill does not limit law-enforcement authority to prohibit access when necessary.
Committee members had no further questions for the sponsor and approved an untimely amendment (House Amendment 17554) by voice vote before returning the bill to the floor as amended. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote of 15 ayes, 0 noes and 2 present not voting on sending HB2402 as amended to Finance, Ways and Means. The bill will now move to that committee for further consideration.
