JD Key Consulting Logo
Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB482

Regular Session

Relating to the offenses of assault, harassment, and interference with public duties committed against certain employees or agents of a utility.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB482: Government Affairs Overview

SB482 elevates assault, harassment, and interference committed against utility employees and agents from minor misdemeanors to serious offenses, including Third Degree Felonies. This legal protection is not automatic; it is contingent upon the worker being visibly identifiable as a utility representative while performing their duties. Consequently, this legislation mandates a strict operational shift regarding field identification standards for both internal employees and third-party contractors to trigger these enhanced prosecutorial protections.

Sen. Carol Alvarado·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01

Need Help Navigating This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting provides strategic guidance on Texas regulatory compliance and legislative impact for your business.

SB482
Moderate
Relating to the offenses of assault, harassment, and interference with public duties committed against certain employees or agents of a utility.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
District and County AttorneysLocal Law Enforcement
Primary Author: Sen. Carol Alvarado
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Field staff must be in compliant attire on this date to receive protection).
  • Agency Rulemaking: No agency rulemaking required. This is a Penal Code modification enforced by local District Attorneys. However, internal corporate policy "rulemaking" must occur immediately to meet the effective date.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit Field Identification: Immediately review the attire of all field employees and contractors. If they are not clearly branded, they are not protected.
  • Update Vendor Contracts: Issue contract addendums to all field service vendors requiring visible identification as a condition of the "Agency" relationship.
  • Revise Incident Forms: Update security reporting templates to capture "Attire" and "Scope of Duty" by August 1, 2025.
  • Brief Local Law Enforcement: Have your security director send a memo to local police chiefs and DAs in your service territory highlighting the change in statute effective September 1.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Master Service Agreements (MSAs): You must amend agreements with third-party vendors (vegetation management, meter readers, line construction) to classify them as "agents" under the statute.
  • Identification Clauses: Insert strict clauses requiring vendor personnel to wear uniforms or high-visibility badging that clearly identifies them as agents of the utility. Failure to do so now constitutes a liability risk by waiving statutory safety protections.

Hiring/Training

  • Field Safety Protocols: Update training modules to instruct employees to verbally identify themselves ("I am a utility worker performing my duties") during any confrontation. This establishes the "knowledge" element required for felony prosecution.
  • Security Liaison Training: Security directors must be trained to cite Texas Penal Code Section 22.01 and SB482 explicitly in police reports to ensure local law enforcement charges the offense correctly (Felony vs. Misdemeanor).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Incident Report Forms: Revise internal security incident forms immediately. New fields are required:
  • 1. Attire Verification: Did the employee have a visible badge/uniform?
  • 2. Scope of Duty: What specific utility task was being performed?
  • 3. Verbal Warning: Did the employee identify themselves to the aggressor?

Fees & Costs

  • Uniform Inventory: Budget immediately for branded high-visibility gear for any plain-clothes field units.
  • Legal Review: Minimal costs associated with updating vendor MSAs and internal safety policy documents.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Criminal Negligence" in Interference: The statute criminalizes interference caused by "criminal negligence." It is unclear if a customer passively blocking access (e.g., refusing to unlock a gate) meets this threshold or if it requires active disruption. Expect local DAs to vary on prosecuting non-violent interference until case law settles the definition.
  • Visibility Standards: The law requires the actor to "know" the victim is a utility worker. It is undefined whether a generic safety vest constitutes "knowledge" or if specific utility branding is required. Operational Strategy: Assume generic PPE is insufficient; mandate branded gear to remove ambiguity.

Need Compliance Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

Schedule a Consultation

Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Nov 22, 2024
Passed Senate
Apr 29, 2025
Passed House
May 20, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCrimesCrimes--against PersonsCrimes--against Persons--generalCrimes--miscellaneousDisaster Preparedness & ReliefUtilitiesUtilities--generalHarassment
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Carol AlvaradoDemocrat · Primary Author
Joint Authors
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsor

Rep. Sam HarlessRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

Explore more bills from this author and on related topics

More from Sen. Carol Alvarado

View all bills by Sen. Carol Alvarado

Related by Topic

View more Crimes legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB482

Q

What does Texas SB482 do?

SB482 elevates assault, harassment, and interference committed against utility employees and agents from minor misdemeanors to serious offenses, including Third Degree Felonies. This legal protection is not automatic; it is contingent upon the worker being visibly identifiable as a utility representative while performing their duties. Consequently, this legislation mandates a strict operational shift regarding field identification standards for both internal employees and third-party contractors to trigger these enhanced prosecutorial protections.

Q

Who authored SB482?

SB482 was authored by Texas Senator Carol Alvarado during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB482 signed into law?

SB482 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB482?

SB482 is enforced by District and County Attorneys and Local Law Enforcement (Police/Sheriff).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB482?

The regulatory priority for SB482 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB482?

The cost impact of SB482 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB482 address?

SB482 addresses topics including crimes, crimes--against persons, crimes--against persons--general, crimes--miscellaneous and disaster preparedness & relief.

Q

What are the key dates for SB482?

Key dates for SB482: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Q

What are the penalties under SB482?

SB482 establishes the following penalties: criminal penalty of Third Degree Felony (2-10 years prison, up to $10k fine) for Assault causing bodily injury against a utility employee/agent performing duties (enhanced from Class A Misdemeanor).; criminal penalty of Class A Misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail, up to $4k fine) for Harassment of a utility employee/agent performing duties (enhanced from Class B Misdemeanor).; criminal penalty of Class B Misdemeanor (up to 180 days jail, up to $2k fine) for Interference with Public Duties: Negligently interrupting, disrupting, or impeding a utility employee/agent performing duties.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

Q

Which Texas businesses are affected by SB482?

SB482 primarily affects utility companies and energy providers. These businesses should review the legislation with their legal and compliance teams to understand potential impacts.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026