| SB 0920 | Revises underground facility safety notification requirements |
| Sponsor: | House | |||
| LR Number: | S3823.01I | Fiscal Note: | 3823-01 | |
| Committee: | Commerce and Environment | |||
| Last Action: | 03/03/98 - Hearing Conducted S Commerce & Environment Committee | Journal page: | ||
| Title: | ||||
| Effective Date: | August 28, 1998 | |||
SB 920 - This act revises requirements pertaining to underground facility safety.
All owners and operators of underground facilities shall participate in a statewide notification center, effective January 1, 2000. Notification centers shall maintain a current list of participating owners and operators.
The act removes the requirement that owners and operators of underground facilities not participating in a notification center shall register with the county Recorder of Deeds. The act removes the requirement that the Recorder of Deeds maintain a current list of owners and operators.
Notification shall be provided to the notification center prior to excavation. Currently, notification is required prior to excavation or construction, whichever occurs first. Prior to January 1, 2000, notice shall also be given prior to excavation to owners and operators of underground facilities not participating in an notification center.
Owners and operators shall assist in determining the location of underground facilities prior to and during excavation. The act provides requirements for an owner or operator of underground facilities to provide the location of facilities to an excavator or the notification center upon receiving notice prior to excavation.
The marking of underground facilities shall be valid so long as the markings are visible. If an excavator notifies the notification center that the markings are no longer visible, the owner or operator shall remark the facilities.
The act prohibits recovery of damages resulting from an excavation by the owner or operator of an underground facility failing to participate in a notification center after January 1, 2000.
Any person designing a building, bridge, highway or other improvement involving excavation shall obtain information concerning underground facilities and provide such information to the excavator.
The act specifies those emergency situations in which excavation is allowed without regard to notification requirements. Emergency excavation is allowed for unexpected occurrences, including fires, floods, sabotage, and riots.
This act is similar to HB 1706.
OTTO FAJEN