House Bill No. 259, introduced by Representative Dewitt, aims to establish new regulations for excavators and demolishers utilizing funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The bill enacts R.S. 40:1749.28, which outlines specific requirements for these entities, including the necessity to provide at least one week's notice before commencing any excavation or demolition activities. Additionally, it mandates that they conduct pre-construction coordination with all known operators of underground utilities in the project area, ensuring that potential conflicts are identified and communicated effectively. A designated point of contact must also be established for each project to facilitate coordination and address any issues that arise.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that if damage occurs to underground utilities or facilities during the excavation or demolition process, the responsible party must notify relevant stakeholders immediately and repair the damage or cover the repair costs if found at fault. The determination of fault is based on compliance with existing notice and excavation requirements. Notably, if an excavator or demolisher violates any provisions of this new law, they will not receive final reimbursement from the office of broadband development and connectivity until they are in compliance. This legislation aims to enhance accountability and communication among parties involved in infrastructure projects funded by the BEAD Program.