1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to construction codes; modifying provisions governing the certification
1.3 of underground telecommunications installers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
1.4 section 326B.198, subdivisions 2, 3.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 2.Installation requirements.(a) The installation of underground
1.8telecommunications infrastructure that is located within ten feet of existing underground
1.9utilities or that crosses the existing underground utilities must be performed by
1.10safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers as follows:
1.11 (1) the location of existing utilities by hand- or hydro-excavation or other accepted
1.12methods must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer;
1.13and
1.14 (2) where telecommunications infrastructure is installed by means of directional drilling,
1.15the monitoring of the location and depth of the drill head must be performed by a
1.16safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer; and.
1.17 (3) no fewer than two safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers must
1.18be present at all times at any location where telecommunications infrastructure is being
1.19installed by means of directional drilling.
1.20 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, all installations of underground telecommunications
1.21infrastructure subject to this subdivision within the seven-county metropolitan area must
1Section 1.
REVISOR SS H0047-1HF47 FIRST ENGROSSMENT
57
Printed
Page No.State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 47
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Schultz, Kresha, Wolgamott, Davis, Murphy and others02/10/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce Finance and Policy
By motion, recalled and re-referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy02/13/2025
Adoption of Report: Re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy02/24/2025
Adoption of Report: Placed on the General Register as Amended03/10/2025
Read for the Second Time 2.1be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the
2.2requirements of this subdivision.
2.3 (c) (b) Beginning January 1, 2026, all installations of underground telecommunications
2.4infrastructure subject to this subdivision within this state must be performed by
2.5safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the requirements of
2.6this subdivision.
2.7 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2.8 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.9 Subd. 3.Certification Standards.(a) The commissioner of labor and industry, in
2.10consultation with the Office of Broadband, shall approve standards for a safety-qualified
2.11underground telecommunications installer certification program that requires a person to:
2.12 (1) complete a 40-hour ten-hour initial course that includes classroom and hands-on
2.13instruction covering proper work procedures for safe installation of underground utilities,
2.14including:
2.15 (i) regulations applicable to excavation near existing utilities;
2.16 (ii) identification, location, and verification of utility lines using hand- or
2.17hydro-excavation or other accepted methods;
2.18 (iii) response to line strike incidents;
2.19 (iv) traffic control procedures;
2.20 (v) use of a tracking device to safely guide directional drill equipment along a drill path;
2.21and
2.22 (vi) avoidance and mitigation of safety hazards posed by underground utility installation
2.23projects;
2.24 (2) demonstrate knowledge of the course material by successfully completing an
2.25examination approved by the commissioner; and
2.26 (3) complete a four-hour refresher course within three years of completing the original
2.27course and every three years thereafter in order to maintain certification.
2.28 (b) The commissioner must develop an approval process for training providers under
2.29this subdivision and may suspend or revoke the approval of any training provider that fails
2.30to demonstrate consistent delivery of approved curriculum or success in preparing participants
2.31to complete the examination.
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR SS H0047-1HF47 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 3.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR SS H0047-1HF47 FIRST ENGROSSMENT