After Shooting of Utility Worker, Senate Public Safety Committee Advances Bill to Protect Utility Workers From Assault

Sacramento, CA – Recognizing the growing dangers utility workers face on the job, the Senate Public Safety Committee today unanimously advanced SB 1330, which places utility workers in the same class as other protected public service professionals and officials, ensuring they receive the same level of security under the law. Specifically, it would make an assault or battery committed against a utility worker who is engaged in the performance of their duties punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year and/or by a fine not exceeding $2,000.

“Incidents of harassment and assault against utility workers create a stressful and unsafe work environment that can complicate the ability of workers to perform their duties,” said Senator Jesse Arreguín, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. “SB 1330 will provide a strong deterrent against these incidents, ensuring essential utility workers are able to do their work that is critical for the health and safety of our communities.”

The bill comes after a serious incident that took place last month involving a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) worker in El Dorado County, resulting in four people being shot. On March 12, PG&E contractors were setting up to do routine work in Camino when a nearby resident confronted them, shooting one of the workers. El Dorado County Sheriff deputies responded, and despite attempts to deescalate the situation, the suspect engaged in a shootout, injuring two deputies before being shot and arrested. Everyone injured was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. 

This incident is one of over 450 incidents of violence or threats against utility workers of California’s major utility companies since 2024. Such incidents have been on the rise since the introduction of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). SB 1330 aims to create a safer working environment for utility employees, ensuring they can carry out their duties without fear of assault or harassment.

“The work IBEW 1245 utility workers do already carries significant risk, from high-voltage exposure to storm response in dangerous conditions,” said Bob Dean, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1245. “These frontline workers should never have to face violence from the very people they’re there to serve. We thank Senator Arreguín for authoring this important measure to better protect the men and women who keep our communities running.”

SB 1330 builds upon local efforts to address worker safety. In 2023, the City of Oakland passed a policy to create “safe work zones” in which city and utility workers can restrict public access to sensitive work areas. This came after the City reported the number of workplace violence incidents against PG&E crews within Oakland had doubled between 2018-2023. 

The bill is supported by a large coalition of utility companies and labor groups, including the California State Association of Electrical Workers (Co-Sponsor), Coalition of California Utility Employees (Co-Sponsor), California Civil Liberties Association, San Diego Gas and Electric, AFSCME, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Engineers and Scientists of California, and IFPTE Local 20. 

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