SB482

Regular Session

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

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Local Law Enforcement (Police/Sheriff) • District and County Attorneys

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.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsCrimes Crimes--against Persons Crimes--against Persons--general Crimes--miscellaneous Disaster Preparedness & Relief Utilities Utilities--general Harassment

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 482
89R5580 MZM-D	By: Alvarado et al.
	Criminal Justice
	4/16/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, utility workers restoring power faced not only the physical challenges of repairing downed power lines but also alarming hostility from some members of the public. These workers were met with harassment, verbal threats and, in some cases, physical assaults that put their safety at risk. They persisted in their essential work despite these dangers, highlighting the need for stronger legal protections for utility workers during emergencies. S.B. 482 enhances protections for utility workers by increasing criminal penalties for offenses committed against them while performing their duties during declared disasters or in areas with evacuation orders.

Bill Provisions:

As filed, S.B. 482 creates the following amendments to the Penal Code:

�Classifies assault against a utility worker while performing their duties in areas of declared disaster or evacuated areas as a third-degree felony.

�Classifies harassment of a utility worker during disasters as a Class A misdemeanor.

�Defines "utility" in detail, covering services like electricity, gas, telecommunications and pipelines.

As proposed, S.B. 482 amends current law relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of assault and harassment committed against certain employees or agents of a utility and committed in a disaster area or evacuated area.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 12.50, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (d-1) to prohibit a punishment for an offense, if that offense is punishable as a felony of the third degree under Section 22.01(b)(10), notwithstanding Section 12.50 (Penalty If Offense Committed in Disaster Area or Evacuated Area), from being increased under Subsection (c) (relating to the minimum term of confinement and prohibition of increased punishment for an offense under certain sections).

SECTION 2. Amends Section 12.501, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (d-1) to prohibit a punishment for an offense, if that offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor under Section 42.07(c)(3), notwithstanding Section 12.501 (Penalty for Certain Offenses Committed in Retaliation for or on Account of Person's Service or Status as Public Servant), from being increased under Subsection (d) (relating to the minimum term of confinement and prohibition of increased punishment for an offense under certain sections).

SECTION 3. Amends Section 22.01(b), Penal Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that an offense under Subsection (a)(1) (relating to classifying an offense as assault if a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed against:

(1)-(7) makes no changes to these subdivisions;

(8)-(9) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; and

(10) a person the actor knows or reasonably should know is an employee or agent of a utility while the person is performing a duty within the scope of that employment and located in certain areas.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 22.01(e), Penal Code, to define "utility."

SECTION 5. Amends Section 42.07(b), Penal Code, to define "utility."

SECTION 6. Amends Section 42.07(c), Penal Code, as follows:

(c) Provides that an offense under Section 42.07 (Harassment) is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if:

(1)-(2) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisons; and

(3) the offense was committed against a person the actor knows or reasonably should know is an employee or agent of a utility while the person is performing a duty within the scope of that employment or agency and the offense was committed in certain areas.

SECTION 7. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Carol AlvaradoDemocrat · Primary Author

Joint Authors

Coauthors (1)

Bob Hall (R)

House Sponsor

Rep. Sam HarlessRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 482

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the offenses of assault, harassment, and interference
	with public duties committed against certain employees or agents of
	a utility.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 12.50(b), Penal Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	(b) The increase in punishment authorized by this section
	applies only to an offense under:
	(1) Section 20.05;
	(2) Section 20.06;
	(3) Section 20.07;
	(4) Section 22.01;
	(5) Section 28.02;
	(6) Section 29.02;
	(7) Section 30.02;
	(8) Section 30.03;
	(9) Section 30.04;
	(10) Section 30.05; [~~and~~]
	(11) Section 31.03; and
	(12) Section 38.15.
	SECTION 2. Sections 22.01(b) and (d), Penal Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class A
	misdemeanor, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree
	if the offense is committed against:
	(1) a person the actor knows is a public servant while
	the public servant is lawfully discharging an official duty, or in
	retaliation or on account of an exercise of official power or
	performance of an official duty as a public servant;
	(2) a person whose relationship to or association with
	the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or
	71.005, Family Code, if:
	(A) it is shown on the trial of the offense that
	the defendant has been previously convicted of an offense that was
	committed:
	(i) against a person whose relationship to
	or association with the defendant is described by Section
	71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code; and
	(ii) under:
	(a) this chapter, Chapter 19, or
	Section 20.03, 20.04, 21.11, or 25.11;
	(b) Section 25.07, if the applicable
	violation was based on the commission of family violence as
	described by Subsection (a)(1) of that section; or
	(c) Section 25.072, if any of the
	applicable violations were based on the commission of family
	violence as described by Section 25.07(a)(1); or
	(B) the offense is committed by intentionally,
	knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or
	circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the
	person's throat or neck or by blocking the person's nose or mouth;
	(3) a person who contracts with government to perform
	a service in a facility described by Section 1.07(a)(14), Penal
	Code, or Section 51.02(13) or (14), Family Code, or an employee of
	that person:
	(A) while the person or employee is engaged in
	performing a service within the scope of the contract, if the actor
	knows the person or employee is authorized by government to provide
	the service; or
	(B) in retaliation for or on account of the
	person's or employee's performance of a service within the scope of
	the contract;
	(4) a person the actor knows is a security officer
	while the officer is performing a duty as a security officer;
	(5) a person the actor knows is emergency services
	personnel while the person is providing emergency services;
	(6) a person the actor knows is a process server while
	the person is performing a duty as a process server;
	(7) a pregnant individual to force the individual to
	have an abortion;
	(8) a person the actor knows is pregnant at the time of
	the offense; [or]
	(9) a person the actor knows is hospital personnel
	while the person is located on hospital property, including all
	land and buildings owned or leased by the hospital; or
	(10) a person the actor knows or reasonably should
	know is an employee or agent of a utility while the person is
	performing a duty within the scope of that employment or agency.
	(d) For purposes of Subsection (b), the actor is presumed to
	have known the person assaulted was a public servant, a security
	officer, an employee or agent of a utility, or emergency services
	personnel if the person was wearing a distinctive uniform or badge
	indicating the person's employment, agency, [~~as a public servant~~]
	or status, as applicable [~~a security officer or emergency services~~
	~~personnel~~].
	SECTION 3. Section 22.01(e), Penal Code, is amended by
	adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:
	(5) "Utility" means:
	(A) an electric utility, as defined by Section
	31.002, Utilities Code;
	(B) a telecommunications provider, as defined by
	Section 51.002, Utilities Code;
	(C) a cable service provider or video service
	provider, as defined by Section 66.002, Utilities Code;
	(D) a gas utility, as defined by Section 101.003,
	Utilities Code, which for the purposes of this subsection includes
	a municipally owned utility as defined by that section;
	(E) a gas utility, as defined by Section 121.001,
	Utilities Code;
	(F) a pipeline used for the transportation or
	sale of oil, gas, or related products; or
	(G) an electric cooperative or municipally owned
	utility, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code.
	SECTION 4. Sections 38.15(a) and (e), Penal Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal
	negligence interrupts, disrupts, impedes, or otherwise interferes
	with:
	(1) a peace officer while the peace officer is
	performing a duty or exercising authority imposed or granted by
	law;
	(2) a person who is employed to provide emergency
	medical services including the transportation of ill or injured
	persons while the person is performing that duty;
	(3) a fire fighter, while the fire fighter is fighting
	a fire or investigating the cause of a fire;
	(4) an animal under the supervision of a peace
	officer, corrections officer, or jailer, if the person knows the
	animal is being used for law enforcement, corrections, prison or
	jail security, or investigative purposes;
	(5) the transmission of a communication over a
	citizen's band radio channel, the purpose of which communication is
	to inform or inquire about an emergency;
	(6) an officer with responsibility for animal control
	in a county or municipality, while the officer is performing a duty
	or exercising authority imposed or granted under Chapter 821 or
	822, Health and Safety Code; [or]
	(7) a person who:
	(A) has responsibility for assessing, enacting,
	or enforcing public health, environmental, radiation, or safety
	measures for the state or a county or municipality;
	(B) is investigating a particular site as part of
	the person's responsibilities under Paragraph (A);
	(C) is acting in accordance with policies and
	procedures related to the safety and security of the site described
	by Paragraph (B); and
	(D) is performing a duty or exercising authority
	imposed or granted under the Agriculture Code, Health and Safety
	Code, Occupations Code, or Water Code; or
	(8) a person who is an employee or agent of a utility
	while the person is performing a duty within the scope of that
	employment or agency.
	(e) In this section:
	(1) "Emergency" [~~, "emergency"~~] means a condition or
	circumstance in which an individual is or is reasonably believed by
	the person transmitting the communication to be in imminent danger
	of serious bodily injury or in which property is or is reasonably
	believed by the person transmitting the communication to be in
	imminent danger of damage or destruction.
	(2) "Utility" means:
	(A) an electric utility, as defined by Section
	31.002, Utilities Code;
	(B) a telecommunications provider, as defined by
	Section 51.002, Utilities Code;
	(C) a video service provider or cable service
	provider, as defined by Section 66.002, Utilities Code;
	(D) a gas utility, as defined by Section 101.003,
	Utilities Code, which for the purposes of this subsection includes
	a municipally owned utility as defined by that section;
	(E) a gas utility, as defined by Section 121.001,
	Utilities Code;
	(F) a pipeline used for the transportation or
	sale of oil, gas, or related products;
	(G) an electric cooperative or municipally owned
	utility, as defined by Section 11.003, Utilities Code;
	(H) a broadband provider, as defined by Section
	253.0001, Utilities Code; or
	(I) a retail water or sewer utility service, as
	defined by Section 13.002, Water Code.
	SECTION 5. Section 42.07(b), Penal Code, is amended by
	adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:
	(4) "Utility" has the meaning assigned by Section
	22.01(e).
	SECTION 6. Section 42.07(c), Penal Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	(c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor,
	except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if:
	(1) the actor has previously been convicted under this
	section; [or]
	(2) the offense was committed under Subsection (a)(7)
	or (8) and:
	(A) the offense was committed against a child
	under 18 years of age with the intent that the child:
	(i) commit suicide; or
	(ii) engage in conduct causing serious
	bodily injury to the child; or
	(B) the actor has previously violated a temporary
	restraining order or injunction issued under Chapter 129A, Civil
	Practice and Remedies Code; or
	(3) the offense was committed against a person the
	actor knows or reasonably should know is an employee or agent of a
	utility while the person is performing a duty within the scope of
	that employment or agency.
	SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
	an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An
	offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed
	by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the
	former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 21, 2025

TO:	Honorable Pete Flores, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB482 by Alvarado (Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of assault and harassment committed against certain employees or agents of a utility and committed in a disaster area or evacuated area.), As Introduced

Increasing the penalty for an existing offense may result in increased demands upon state correctional resources due to a possible increase in the number of individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to a term of confinement. The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the lack of data to estimate the prevalence of conduct outlined in the bill's provisions that would be subject to increased criminal penalties.

The bill would increase the criminal penalty for the offense of assault from a Class A misdemeanor to a third degree felony if the defendant assaulted a utility worker while performing their duties in areas of evacuation or disaster.The bill would increase the criminal penalty for the offense of harassment of a utility worker within an evacuation or disaster area from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

The impact on state correctional populations or on the demand for state correctional resources cannot be determined due to the lack of data to estimate the prevalence of conduct outlined in the bill's provisions that would be subject to increased criminal penalties.

Local Government Impact

While the fiscal impact cannot be determined, increasing the penalty for an existing offense may result in increased demands upon local correctional resources due to a possible increase in the number of individuals placed under supervision in the community or sentenced to a term of confinement.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts

LBB Staff:

JMc, MGol, AMr, QH

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB482

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.

Who authored SB482?

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

When was SB482 signed into law?

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

Which agencies enforce SB482?

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

How urgent is compliance with SB482?

The compliance urgency for SB482 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

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.

What topics does SB482 address?

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

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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