Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens disaster power-restoration by formally designating private utility crews as emergency responders and clarifying federal authority — improving coordination and speed of repairs — at the potential cost of higher compliance expenses for utilities/customers and greater federal oversight or liability for private crews.
Communities (rural and urban) in disaster-affected areas will likely see faster power restoration because private utility crews will be covered for federal response coordination and support during presidentially declared disasters.
Utility line technicians and their employers gain explicit recognition as emergency responders and clearer federal authority for mobilizing private-sector crews, improving eligibility for federal assistance and reducing ambiguity for agencies coordinating disaster response.
Utilities or their customers could face higher costs if expanded responder status triggers additional federal requirements, oversight, or compliance obligations.
Private-sector technicians and their employers may face increased federal rules, oversight, or liability exposure when designated as emergency responders.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Explicitly adds utility line technicians to the Homeland Security Act's definition of "emergency response providers" for major disasters and presidentially declared emergencies under the Stafford Act.
Introduced March 19, 2026 by Clay Higgins · Last progress March 19, 2026
Amends the Homeland Security Act definition of “emergency response providers” to explicitly include utility line technicians when they are responding to a major disaster or a presidentially declared emergency under the Stafford Act. Also establishes a short title for the Act and makes a minor punctuation change to add the new category into the existing statutory list.