HCS SB 958 -- TREE TRIMMING BY ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS

SPONSOR:  Goodman (Schad)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Utilities by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute allows electric suppliers to trim, remove, and
control trees and vegetation that threaten the safe and reliable
operation of electrical service.  Permissible distances from
power lines for removing trees are specified based on the voltage
of the power line.  Any tree that actually threatens the power
supply may be trimmed or removed after a 14-day notice to the
owner even if the tree is not within the recommended distance
guidelines unless the electric supplier determines that removal
of the tree is immediately necessary or the electric supplier is
trimming or removing trees following a major weather event or
other emergency situation.  If any tree which is trimmed by an
electric supplier dies within three months as a result of the
trimming, the owner may request in writing that the electric
supplier remove the tree at the supplier's expense.  The electric
supplier must respond to the request within 90 days.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will help prevent power
outages and allow for reasonable tree trimming by electric
utilities.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Goodman; Missouri
Association of Trial Attorneys; and Association of Missouri
Electrical Cooperatives.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:13 pm