ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - Louisiana frequently experiences severe weather conditions. These storms often result in significant damage, placing the responsibility for safeguarding lives, properties, evidence, and ecosystems squarely on the shoulders of emergency personnel.
These courageous individuals are summoned to spring into action at a moment's notice.
House Bill 80 (HB80) proposes including electric linemen—defined as individuals who set up, sustain, or fix electrical transmission and power distribution networks—in the definition of a first responder in Louisiana.
HB80 was initially filed by a legislator from the Cenla region. Jason Dewitt prior to Louisiana’s 2025 Regular Session.
As per KALB political analyst Greg LaRose, the bill seems to focus more on acknowledgment rather than enacting laws.
So, I'm not sure that this really accomplishes much beyond acknowledging that lineworkers play an essential role in the recovery process," stated LaRose. "The legal implications still remain unclear.
As stated in the draft legislation, electric line workers would be classified as first responders exclusively when a weather-related emergency is announced by the governor.
The legislation further stipulates that 'first responder' might appear on the attire of an electric line worker during severe weather conditions; nonetheless, these workers would remain categorized as private sector employees and wouldn’t get compensated by the state.
As per LaRose, this isn’t the first instance Louisiana has encountered such legislation.
In 2022, when Senator Cameron Henry from [state] was still serving as Senate President, he introduced a comparable bill," stated LaRose. "That proposal did not progress further. Similarly, at the national level, Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA) proposed the congressional equivalent of this legislation. However, his initiative also failed to advance beyond a subcommittee."
LaRose suggested that the legislation might be beneficial during emergencies when out-of-state first responders come to Louisiana for assistance following hurricanes.
Although he mentioned that the legislation might encounter certain challenges if enacted.
I can envision scenarios where this sets the groundwork for discussions around accountability," stated LaRose. "By labeling a frontline employee as a first responder, it potentially shifts some responsibility away from local or state authorities should something occur during the restoration phase or right after a disaster when roadways and water routes may not be entirely secure.
HB80 has been transferred to the House Judiciary Committee since the Regular Legislative Session is under two weeks away.
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