MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 Regular Session

To: Public Utilities

By: Representative Banks

House Bill 1064

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC UTILITY WORKER TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION IF REQUESTED TO DO SO BY A RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS OWNER OR LESSEE BEFORE SUCH WORKER PERFORMS HIS OR HER DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  For the purposes of this section, the term "public utility worker" means any employee of a public utility as defined in Section 77-3-3(d) who provides service in or on the private property of a residence or business.

     (2)  Before a public utility worker performs his or her lawful duties, such worker when entering on the private property of a residence or business shall make a good faith attempt to announce and identify himself or herself and his or her intentions before entering upon the property.  In addition, such public utility worker shall present documentation sufficient to identify himself or herself as a public utility worker to the property owner or lessee of the property upon request for such identification.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.