The Linemen Legacy Act clarifies that utility line technicians qualify as emergency response providers under federal homeland security law. This change means that lineworkers who respond to presidentially declared disasters or emergencies will be recognized and potentially eligible for benefits and protections afforded to other emergency responders. The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and was introduced in March 2026 by Representatives Higgins, Norcross, and Bresnahan. There is no specific funding or timeline mentioned in the legislation itself. This relatively straightforward change aims to ensure that the electric utility workers who restore power during major disasters receive the same official status as firefighters, police officers, and other traditional emergency responders.
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