The MN House reports an updated version of HF47 …

Journal Of the House – 32nd -Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Top of Page 3197(22) provide a completion certificate when the course and exam have been completed and the provider has verified the completion.  Electronic certificates are sufficient and shall include the name of the provider, date and location of the course, educational program identification that was provided by the department, hours of instruction or continuing education hours, and licensee’s or attendee’s name and license, certification, or registration number or the last four digits of the licensee’s or attendee’s Social Security number; and

(23) allow the commissioner the ability to electronically review the class to determine if credit can be approved.

(e) The final examination must be either an encrypted online examination or a paper examination that is monitored by a proctor who certifies that the student took the examination.

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.  Installation requirements.  (a) The installation of underground telecommunications infrastructure that is located within ten feet of existing underground utilities or that crosses the existing underground utilities must be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers as follows:

(1) the location of existing utilities by hand- or hydro-excavation or other accepted methods must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer; and

 

(2) where telecommunications infrastructure is installed by means of directional drilling, the monitoring of the location and depth of the drill head must be performed by a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer; and.

 

(3) no fewer than two safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers must be present at all times at any location where telecommunications infrastructure is being installed by means of directional drilling.

 

(b) Beginning July 1, 2025, all installations of underground telecommunications infrastructure subject to this subdivision within the seven-county metropolitan area must be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the requirements of this subdivision.

 

(c) (b) Beginning January 1, 2026, all installations of underground telecommunications infrastructure subject to this subdivision within this state must be performed by safety-qualified underground telecommunications installers that meet the requirements of this subdivision.

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.198, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.  Certification Standards.  (a) The commissioner of labor and industry, in consultation with the Office of Broadband, shall approve standards for a safety-qualified underground telecommunications installer certification program that requires a person to:

(1) complete a 40-hour initial course that includes classroom and hands-on instruction covering proper work procedures for safe installation of underground utilities, including:

(i) regulations applicable to excavation near existing utilities;

(ii) identification, location, and verification of utility lines using hand- or hydro-excavation or other accepted methods;