HF 3839

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/15/2018 02:22pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring certain utility facilities to be labeled with contact
information; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 12.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [12.40] UTILITY FACILITY IDENTIFICATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Public right-of-way" has the meaning given in section 237.162, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Utility facility" means a utility pole, transmission line tower, or other facility,
including any attendant cables, wires, or other equipment, that is designed to carry electricity
or an electrical signal.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Utility facility owner or operator" or "operator" means a utility as defined under
section 216E.01, subdivision 10, or a transmission company as defined under section
216B.02, subdivision 10, that owns or operates a utility facility.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Facility identification; contact information. new text end

new text begin (a) A utility facility owner or
operator must clearly label each utility facility the operator owns or operates in Minnesota
that is located (1) within or immediately adjacent to a public right-of-way, or (2) near enough
to a public right-of-way that the utility facility might breach the public right-of-way in the
event the utility facility is partially or entirely knocked down.
new text end

new text begin (b) At a minimum, a utility facility identification label under this section must include
the facility owner or operator's name, telephone number, and other relevant contact
information to ensure an emergency responder is able to quickly identify and contact the
utility facility owner or operator for assistance in the event of an emergency or public
right-of-way incursion.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment. A utility facility owner or operator must label all utility facilities subject
to this section on or before January 1, 2020.
new text end