Classify power line technicians as emergency response providers under the Department of Homeland Security's definition.

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) announced the introduction of the Linemen Legacy Act to classify power line technicians as “emergency response providers” under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) definition.

Norcross co-led legislation that would add lineworkers to DHS's emergency response provider definition, effectively recognizing them as first responders.

Rep. Norcross Co-Leads Linemen Legacy Act to Classify Lineworkers as First Responders - Press Releases - United States Congressman Donald Norcross
secondary · other · model gpt-5.5

6 USC 101 states that the term "emergency response providers" includes Federal, State, and local governmental and nongovernmental emergency public safety, fire, law enforcement, emergency response, emergency medical, and related personnel, agencies, and authorities.

The operative Homeland Security Act definition does not expressly include power line technicians, lineworkers, electric utility workers, or energy restoration personnel.

never unknown

6 USC 101: Definitions
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 91%

The amendment notes for paragraph (6) list 2006 changes: Pub. L. 109-347 inserted "governmental and nongovernmental" after "local," and Pub. L. 109-295 inserted "fire," after "safety,".

The official amendment history shows no post-2014 amendment adding power line technicians to the emergency response providers definition during Norcross's federal service through the Code's stated currency date.

never unknown

6 USC 101: Definitions
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 88%

PPD-21 identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors. It lists "Emergency Services" with the Department of Homeland Security as Sector-Specific Agency, and separately lists "Energy" with the Department of Energy as Sector-Specific Agency.

Federal critical-infrastructure policy treats Energy as a separate sector from DHS-led Emergency Services; this is not the promised DHS emergency-response-provider classification for power line technicians.

never unknown

Presidential Policy Directive -- Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 82%

Congress.gov lists Donald Norcross as Representative, Democratic, House New Jersey District 1, 113th-119th Congresses, 2014-Present, with member activity including sponsored and cosponsored legislation.

This establishes the relevant federal service window for assessing the promise. Searches of official legislative records and Norcross-related records did not identify enacted legislation or a concrete Norcross bill accomplishing the promised classification.

never unknown

Donald Norcross | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 78%