Crackdown against attacks on utility workers ready for Senate floor

Essential power and water workers are closer to enhanced protections from physical attacks after legislation tightening criminal penalties has cleared its final Senate committee.

The Fiscal Policy Committee was the third and final stop for SB 1386. The bill would deem utility workers to be as deserving of protection as an “officer, firefighter, emergency medical care provider, hospital personnel, railroad special officer, traffic accident investigation officer, traffic infraction enforcement officer, inspector, analyst, operator, law enforcement explorer, parking enforcement specialist, public transit employee or agent, or security officer.”

During his presentation of the proposal, Republican Sen. Tom Leek said the bill follows up on 2024 legislation to protect “critical infrastructure,” noting that assaults on the people maintaining and repairing it are also a challenge.

Under the bill, simple assault on a lineman would be reclassified as a first-degree misdemeanor. It’s now a second-degree offense.

Battery against a utility worker is currently a first-degree misdemeanor. Under this bill, it would be a third-degree felony with no less than a six-month prison sentence.

Those guilty of aggravated assault would spend three years in prison, and five years would be the penalty for aggravated battery.

The House version of this proposal is on the Second Reading Calendar, meaning odds are good that this legislation ultimately lands on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

The Florida Municipal Electric Association, the Florida Municipal Natural Gas Association, TECO, the Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida Public Utilities Company, Florida Natural Gas Association, and Associated Industries of Florida all support the bill.