AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 77-13-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND DEFINE ADDITIONAL TERMS USED IN THOSE STATUTES REGULATING EXCAVATIONS NEAR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 77-13-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCAVATORS BEFORE BEGINNING AN EXCAVATION AND TO ESTABLISH SPECIFIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMERGED EXCAVATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 77-13-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH DIFFERENT TIMEFRAMES THAT VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF EXCAVATION FOR UTILITY OPERATORS TO LOCATE AND MARK UNDERGROUND LINES AND FACILITIES AND SUBMERGED FACILITIES AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF AN EXCAVATION; TO AMEND SECTION 77-13-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE AN EXCAVATOR MAKING AN EMERGENCY EXCAVATION TO PROVIDE THE CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE PERSON AT THE SITE WHO IS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS THE EXCAVATION WITH OPERATORS; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 77-13-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AN EXCAVATOR THAT IS PLANNING A LARGE PROJECT TO REQUEST A PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING WITH OPERATORS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES; TO AUTHORIZE PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING TERMS AND TIMEFRAMES FOR THE PROJECT; TO AMEND SECTION 77-13-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 77-13-3, 77-13-5, 77-13-9, 77-13-11, 77-13-17
Committee Substitute: 77-13-3, 77-13-5, 77-13-9, 77-13-11, 77-13-17
As Passed by the House: 77-13-3, 77-13-5, 77-13-9, 77-13-11, 77-13-17