Senate adopts amendment capping homeowners' fees for blasting pre‑inspection reports

The Senate took up House Bill 1138 (moved as a Senate substitute) addressing consumers' access to blasting pre‑inspection reports and fees. Senator Taylor and Senator Pote led discussion of a committee amendment that requires blasting firms to provide pre‑blast survey documentation and photos promptly and caps any charge to residential owners at $50.

Senator Pote explained that many blasting firms historically provided pre‑inspection reports at no cost but some charged “more than would be considered reasonable.” The committee amendment was described as limiting any residential owner’s cost to no more than $50 for requested materials. Senator Taylor and others moved the committee amendment, it was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was passed on final reading; the clerk recorded the vote as 30 ayes, no nays.

Sponsor and proponents framed the measure as consumer protection that ensures residents near blasting operations can obtain documentation without prohibitive cost. The motion to reconsider was tabled and the measure was declared passed.