As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1)  “Authorized person” means:

(a)  Employees or electrical or communication contractors or other contractors employed for the maintenance of electric lines of an electric public utility with respect to the electrical system owned or operated by such electric public utility; employees or electrical or communication contractors or other contractors employed for the maintenance of electric lines of an electric cooperative with respect to the electrical system owned or operated by such cooperative; employees or electrical or communication contractors or other contractors employed for the maintenance of electric lines of a municipality or other public entity with respect to the electrical system owned or operated by such municipality or other public entity; and the employees of a transportation system with respect to the electrical circuits of such system.

(b)  Employees or electrical or communication contractors, including cable television, telephone, and other communication utilities having pole attachment agreements with an owner or operator of high voltage overhead lines with respect to the electrical system of an owner or operator of a high voltage overhead line.

(2)  “High voltage” means a voltage in excess of six hundred volts between conductors, or between any conductor and the ground.

(3)  “Overhead line” means all bare or insulated electrical conductors installed above ground, except those conductors that are de-energized and grounded or that are enclosed in rigid metallic conduits.

Acts 2001, No. 176, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.