The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code to enhance the regulations surrounding excavation activities related to underground utility facilities. Key updates include a revised definition of "working days," which now excludes weekends and legal holidays, and a new requirement for contractors to notify protection services and utility owners at least two working days before starting construction. Additionally, if a public authority does not meet certain notification obligations, contractors may receive an increase in contract price and an extension of the completion date due to delays from unmarked underground utilities. The bill also clarifies the definition of "excavation" to exclude specific activities in the public right-of-way, such as milling asphalt and utility pole inspections that do not penetrate beyond twelve inches.

Moreover, the bill introduces new definitions and provisions related to excavation activities, including terms like "excavation site," "excavator," and "commercial excavator." It reduces the notification period for excavators to inform protection services about planned excavation from a previous range of "at least forty-eight hours but not more than ten working days" to "at least two working days, not including the day of the notification." The bill also mandates that utilities must participate in a protection service to register their underground facilities and outlines their responsibilities in marking these facilities according to specific color codes. Additionally, it streamlines the legal framework by repealing several existing sections of the Revised Code, thereby improving safety and efficiency in public improvement projects.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3781.25, 3781.26, 3781.27, 3781.271, 3781.28
As Reported By House Committee: 153.64, 3781.25, 3781.26, 3781.27, 3781.271, 3781.28, 3781.29
As Passed By House: 153.64, 3781.25, 3781.26, 3781.27, 3781.271, 3781.28, 3781.29